COPS' NEW HELP PLEA

Information Will Help Us Crack Crime

HELP us make your streets safer is the plea from senior police
officers. They want the public to keep coming forward with
information to help convict dealers and neds who make people's lives a misery.

Chief inspectors Robbie McGregor and Bob Beaton say the public's help
in tackling drug dealing and youth disorder is vital.

The two officers head the teams looking after Camelon and
Stenhousemuir where, in recent months, residents have been
particularly concerned about the effects of anti-social behaviour.

Although Central Scotland Police has targeted the problem, officers
are looking for more support.

Chief Inspector McGregor, who has responsibility for the Camelon
area, said: "Through attending a number of recent public meetings,
and speaking to the public and elected representatives, it is
apparent there is a lot of information out there in the public's
hands and I would appeal for them to work with us for the common good
of our community.

"If anyone has information about drug dealing, disorder, vandalism or
any other issues impacting on quality of life, I would urge them to
come forward and share it with the police. By working as one, there
is a better chance of the particular issue being effectively targeted
and resolved to everyone's satisfaction."

Chief Inspector Beaton said the Stenhousemuir area had experienced
signficant youth disorder, mainly centred on the shopping precinct area.

He said: "There is a hardcore of offenders responsible for the
majority of incidents. However, they attract a bigger group of youths
and that creates problems.

"We have had instances of vandalism, assaults, breach of the peace,
theft and other forms of anti-social behaviour -- including seemingly
lower end of the scale issues like littering -- committed by
teenagers, mainly aged between 14 and 16."

The senior officer said there would be no let up in targeting the
offenders and, in coming weeks, police operations would take place to
continue the force's pro-active approach to dealing with troublemakers.

Community

He added: "I would also appeal to the community to help us. Do not
assume we know who is responsible. Sometimes the final piece of the
jigsaw is the vital piece of community intelligence which helps us
trace an offender and detect a crime."

Anyone who wants to pass on information can contact Central Scotland
Police on (01324) 634212 or call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.