Gang wars are blamed on under-age drinking

Sheriff Robert Dickson's hard-hitting comments at Airdrie Sheriff Court, published on the front page of last week's Cumbernauld News, met with a mixed response.

Councillor Tom Johnston said he has experienced high levels of gang activity within his constituency of Abronhill, Kildrum and Cumbernauld Village.

"This is a problem that has been about for decades and it tends to flare up at times, like the point a few years ago when the Strathclyde Police helicopter seemed to be out all the time, following complaints.

"Since then I think that the problem has disappeared off the streets to some extent as I believe there are quite a few gang-related incidents in areas like the woods. It is quite a hard problem to solve.

"There are few CCTV cameras in Cumbernauld compared to other areas but that perhaps wouldn't solve the problem."