MSP STEPS IN: POLICE MAKE FOUR ARRESTS IN BALLOCH OVER WEEKEND

By Bill Heaney

Dame Jackie Baillie has arranged an urgent meeting to help tackle disorder in Balloch.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP, pictured left, has expressed her concern over recent incidents around the Loch Lomond area and is bringing all relevant agencies together for an emergency summit.

This includes ScotRail, Police Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, British Transport Police and West Dunbartonshire Council. She has also invited the Community Safety Minister, Siobhian Brown, Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop and the Minister responsible for National Parks, Lorna Slater.

Jackie Baillie said: “People who stay within Balloch and the surrounding areas deserve to be able to go about their business without the threat of violence on their doorsteps.

“The Police and other agencies are all trying their best to tackle the disruption, but it escalated at the weekend with three reported stabbings.

“The scenes around Balloch and in Alexandria recently have been appalling and I am worried that this will continue and potentially become even worse as the summer continues.

“After the deaths which have happened on the loch and in the River Leven in recent years, it is unforgivable that the troublemakers have damaged water safety equipment and drawn graffiti over warning signs. This could lead to people losing their lives and should not be tolerated.

“No-one wants to see this trouble erupting in our communities and so I have called together all of the agencies who have a responsibility to deal with this so action can be taken now, to stop the escalation in violence, before we get further into the busy summer season.”

Police Scotland Argyll & West Dunbartonshire

Over the weekend, Police Scotland’s community’s team were on patrol in Balloch and Luss, providing a proactive response to recent concerns of anti social behaviour and disorder.

A spokesperson said: “We also had the assistance of our police horses, who, alongside our partners in British Transport Police and the Forest Rangers from the National Park, targeted those individuals unwilling to behave responsibly.

“Four males were arrested for disorder and resisting arrest. Six individuals were issued with fixed penalty notices for street drinking, and two individuals were given recorded Police warnings for being found in possession of controlled drugs.

“We will continue to target ASB within our community and provide a proportionate policing response to address our community’s needs.”

May be an image of 5 people, horse, ambulance and text

Police Scotland had horses on patrol in Balloch over the weekend. See also in this edition of the Dumbarton Democrat a report that Luss Primary School pupils are appealing for an end to anti social behavior in their village.

Police Scotland Argyll & West Dunbartonshire

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