Concerns aired in Kilsyth over policing in town

Residents in the public gallery and a number of members of the council spoke of their frustration regarding several matters where they felt the police had failed to act appropriately.

Keila Singh, secretary of the community council, said that earlier this month Liz Paterson, chairwoman of Friends of Bogside Park, had phoned to report that a 13-year-old girl was very drunk in Bogside Park.

The secretary added: “We waited at Fisher Avenue for half-an-hour before a police car eventually turned the corner, slowed down to look at us, before carrying on and turning down Backbrae Street.”

Mrs Paterson, sitting in the public gallery,said: “First of all you phone a call centre and they don’t even know where Kilsyth is and then you have to try and describe where the park is.

“That wee girl had wet herself and everything, then this crowd of boys gathered about her.

“Anything could’ve happened to that wee girl. The drinking in Kilsyth is pathetic and the drugs is horrendous.”

But PC Fiona Harrison outlined some of the difficulties the police faced, and urged residents to continue reporting incidents as a way of ensuring that action is taken.

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