Crime cut by half as more cops walk beat in Ayr

Jul 25 2008 by Stuart Wilson

CRIME rates have plunged by more than 50 per cent after a police crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Cops upped their presence on the beat following reports of trouble in the Castlehill Woods and Rozelle Park areas of Ayr.

And the results have been astounding, with alcohol related youth crime falling by 54 per cent.

The four-week crackdown saw 85 stop searches carried out. Crime in Castlehill Woods dropped by 66 per cent and Rozelle Park saw a 29 per cent reduction on the same time last year.

Superintendent John Hazlett, of Ayr police, insisted his team will continue their good work.

He said: “These parks are nice areas and generally safe places to use and local intelligence would suggest it is a small minority of people responsible for this intimidating behaviour.

“We will continue to regularly patrol Castlehill Woods and Rozelle Park on foot and on bicycles to tackle the issues of youths hanging around, drinking and causing general disruption.

“We will work with our partner agencies to tackle crime and make the area safer.”

Golf and football lessons are already underway for teens in Rozelle Park as a way of distracting kids from trouble.

And Superintendent Hazlett confirmed: “This is not all about high visibility policing. As well as enforcement, officers were also working with local communitites and partner agencies on a combination of diversionary activities.”