A group of drunken youths are terrorising residents of a Glenrothes suburb.
Householders in Pitteuchar are chaining their bins to fences to prevent teenagers from using the rubbish receptacles to start fires in a local woodland.
Mary Douglas, who stays in Craigievar Drive, said that the mob descended on her neighbourhood every weekend, wreaking havoc in the community.
Claiming that the group are taking bins to nearby woods and using them as fuel for fires, she said: “There must be about 30 of them congregating and drinking.
“It has come to the stage where I’m having to chain my bins up.
“I’ve had ten bins replaced in the past year and in October I had four taken all in one go.”
Mrs Douglas claims that the youths are attempting to inhale the fumes of the ignited bins, taking them to nearby Warout Woods before setting them alight.
It follows similar concerns over the conduct of youngsters in Levenmouth, as reported in The Courier last month.
The woodland has been associated with anti-social behaviour for decades, and has been a historic drinking den for young people in the town despite repeated police clampdowns.
However, dissatisfied with recent attempts to keep her property secure, Mrs Douglas said she felt as though police were ignoring her concerns, before adding: “The fire brigade have been amazing but there is better things they can be doing with their time.”
Inspector Joanne McEwan from Glenrothes Police Station said: “Tackling antisocial behaviour and youth disorder remains a local priority in Glenrothes.
“Our community ward officers continue to work with partners to address these issues.
“Whilst there has been no recent spike in crime associated with this area, Warout Woods has, in the past, been affected by incidents of disorder.
“When areas of the town experience antisocial behaviour and associated offences our community ward officers monitor such issues and work together with colleagues and partners to provide targeted prevention and enforcement.
“I would encourage the public to come forward and report any ongoing problems in their area so we can devote the appropriate resources and respond accordingly.”
