YOUTH disorder is a burning issue in Peebles but officers say they are carrying out “real robust policing” to target culprits.

Police Scotland and the Community Action Team have upped patrols in the town following claims of “gang attacks” at the end of the year.

Representatives from the local football club attended Peebles Community Council last month, raising fears that a player could been seriously injured from broken shards of glass left on the pitch by youngsters boozing in the Alec Lucas Memorial Stand.

It was also highlighted to police that Haylodge Park was a hotspot for youths congregating, and recently residents in South Parks had to clear up broken bottles smashed over the road and pavements.

PC Diane Sorrell said: “We are continuing to work with the Community Action Team and we have been trying to do real robust policing here.

“We’re monitoring all the reports that are coming in so that’s why it is important to try and encourage members of the public to report incidents so that we can attend and identify the individuals and get names against the incidents.

"This allows us to send letters to parents, visit them at home, or, if we have enough evidence, make a charge.

“It’s never going to stop completely, it’s always going to be a ticking issue because we have new young people reaching that age where they want to go out and drink and cause anti-social behaviour.”

PC Sorrell said she has been on duty at weekends and inspected problem areas at Kerfield and Haylodge Parks.

She added: “These are a couple of the areas where we have youths drinking.

"Personally I’ve been down there when there have been youths in the Alex Lucas Memorial Stand and I have taken a bag picked up alcohol bottles that have been thrown on the pitch.

"I’ve picked up broken glass because I’m so aware that the next morning there’s going to be children playing football there. We are trying to nip that in the bud and there have not been as many reports.”