Dunfermline councillors witness trouble in Townhill

Two local councillors who responded to a plea for help said they witnessed up to 70 young people descend on the woods near Wilson Street to drink alcohol and, apparently, take the drug ketamine.

It follows on from anti-social behaviour at Dunfermline Bus Station and the claim a minority of youngsters are using their free bus pass to travel to different places and cause trouble.

Dunfermline North councillor Gavin Ellis said: "The vast majority are behaving quite well, but there’s been a small group that’s been quite aggressive and intimidating - damaging people’s property, trying to smash windows and spitting at residents when residents have spoken to them." 

He said he saw a group of 10 youths on CCTV footage attempting to rip down fencing at a local property and assaulted the elderly resident - attempting to punch him - last Friday night (March 22). 

Dunfermline North Conservative councillor Gavin Ellis. (Image: Fife Council)

The following night the Conservative councillor and fellow ward councillor, Labour's Gordon Pryde, were both asked to come to Townhill to monitor the situation as young people were again congregating in the woods.

By Cllr Pryde’s estimate, there were around 70 young people.

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“We’re in this situation where there’s this small group that are towards the older end of being youths that are causing issues for Townhill residents.

"It’s quite rough, intimidating and menacing behaviour,” Cllr Ellis said. 

His post on Facebook said that a large group of youths had "descended on Townhill with drink and apparently sourcing Ketamine to have a party in the woods".

Cllr Ellis said a number of them were dropped off and later picked up by car, and added that while most were well behaved the "pack mentality was on show when another young male was attacked".

He said the group were about to cause more trouble until a bus arrived and they got on board.

Dunfermline North Labour councillor Gordon Pryde. (Image: Fife Council)

Cllr Pryde said he was in the village for approximately two and a half hours last Saturday night and although he and several people reported the situation to police via 101, he said there “didn’t appear" to be any response. 

“I understand resources are stretched and they don’t have the police to react like that but I think now that we’ve got intelligence that this may be an issue on future weekends, we would like to see increased patrols on Friday and Saturday nights,” he said. 

Inspector Tommy Stenhouse said police were “aware of some recent reports of anti-social behaviour in this area”.

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“The community policing team work closely with partners to address these issues, find meaningful solutions and direct young people away from this type of behaviour.

"We will take the appropriate action when incidents are reported and offenders are identified,” he said.

“Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police by calling 101 as promptly as possible.”

Cllr Ellis said: "Historically we have had groups of youths gather in Townhill woods, but that’s generally been local youths or youths from the Dunfermline area.

"But now with the nationwide free bus pass it allows children to travel any distance they wish.

“As we’ve seen across Scotland that has created problems with the way youths gather in large numbers.

"While the bus pass is a great idea, sometimes I don’t think it’s been fully thought through. 

“But then again it’s a small minority of youths that tarnishes the idea and ruins it for the vast majority of kids who are well behaved and use it responsibly.”