ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour has left pupils at Peebles High School fearing for their safety – with the issue reaching crisis point this week.

Members of the community have aired "significant" concerns about the actions of a number of young people, leading to headteacher Campbell Wilson issuing a letter to parents.

Reported instances of bullying, damage to property and harassment around Peebles have been widely shared online.

In his letter, Mr Wilson said that charges had been brought against pupils for assaults committed out of school and that two instances of violence at Peebles High this term were met with "the most severe sanction" available.

Mr Wilson added that the school had received no reports of pupils carrying weapons, but said that he had contacted police in response to online claims that there had been.

Peeblesshire News: Peebles High School headteacher, Mr Campbell WilsonPeebles High School headteacher, Mr Campbell Wilson (Image: Helen Barrington)

He said: "We have no evidence of weapons in school at present and I want you to know that we would take very swift and safeguarding action should any evidence to the contrary be provided.

"In no way do I mean to brush off criticism of our school or deny that there are any behavioural issues, but I can only take action where there is clear evidence of criminality in our school."

Peebles High School Parent Council told the Peeblesshire News it shared the concerns of parents about "the escalation of anti-social behaviour in the area over the past year".

Sarah Duncan, chairperson of the Parent Council, said: "We have been working to help the school understand these concerns and how they have resulted in some pupils not feeling safe in our school.

"We ensure that any information reported to us is shared with school leadership and know they are working with Police Scotland, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and local partners to tackle what is a complex issue.

"I'd urge any parent with concerns to contact the school and, just as importantly, the police directly as they can only act on the evidence shared with them."

Anti-social behaviour has been a widely reported issue in Peebles, but recent events have led to residents raising their concerns with the community council, SBC, the police and the high school itself.

This week, the six councillors representing Tweeddale – Julie Pirone, Drummond Begg, Viv Thomson, Robin Tatler, Marshall Douglas, and Eric Small – published a joint letter in response to a petition on the issue set up by the town's community council.

"We are all aware of a small amount of anti-social behaviour occurring in Peebles," the letter stated. "Figures show that this is 56 calls about youth anti-social behaviour for Peebles in total for the last quarter, averaging about 19 calls a month.

"Most of this recent behaviour is believed to have been perpetrated by individuals who are very well known to the police, the CAT team and our anti-social behaviour team as well as the youth justice and social work teams locally."

Although the councillors condemned the anti-social behaviour, they pointed out that the perpetrators themselves are children.

The letter added: "These matters are complicated and complex and at the heart of it are individuals under the age of 16.

"There is an action plan established and this is being implemented. Officers and officials do need time to do this and as we have stressed, this is a complicated matter where children are at the heart of the situation and at all times their parents need to agree to the proposals and restrictions being ordered or presented to them. One of these restrictions will involve severe measures.

"I am sure you will understand that full disclosure of what these measures are cannot be discussed in full as they are of a sensitive nature and involve young people.

"Fundamentally, we live in a very safe place, where levels of crime or criminal behaviour are low."

Chief inspector Vincent Fisher, of Police Scotland, offered reassurance to Peebles residents, saying that officers are keeping a close eye on anti-social behaviour in the town.

The council was approached for comment and shared Mr Wilson's statement.