Members of Carnoustie and District Crime Prevention Panel are to write to justice secretary Kenny MacAskill in a bid to address the “disgraceful” vandalism blighting the golf town.
Chairman Lindsay Martin said the community was at the end of its tether regarding the problem, which has seen the war memorial repeatedly targeted and the Christmas lights virtually destroyed, causing almost £5000 worth of damage.
However, Mr Martin feels that, as the majority of the perpetrators are under 16, authorities are limited in what they can do in terms of punishment.
He said, “Currently there are a lack of laws governing those under 16 and I think that’s part of the problem. Those responsible are taken to the children’s panel but then that’s the last we hear of it.
“There is no way of recouping the funds for the damage that has been done lately and there doesn’t seem to be many ways of punishing the young people involved. Every organisation in the town will be putting its name to this because we’re very angry.
“To vandalise the memorial just shows a total lack of respect for the men and women that gave their lives for the future of these young people and the British Legion in particular is very concerned about this.
“The damage caused to the Christmas lights has also been devastating. Lots of groups and shopkeepers paid for their names to be put on individual lights, only for them to be smashed.”
Mr Lindsay chaired a meeting at the British Legion premises last week, which was attended by the police and local politicians, aimed at finding a solution to the issue.
Councillor Helen Oswald suggested that young people should be ordered to carry out work aimed at making the town more presentable as a means of illustrating the consequences of their actions.
She said, “Perhaps these young people, if they are charged with vandalism, could be involved in the next beach clean or litter pick. This would help them see what the consequences of their actions are.
“Although the majority of young people in Carnoustie are good kids I think the minority who are involved in vandalism need to realise that their behaviour can be frightening for older people. That’s why it also may be a good idea for older people to maybe come into schools in the area and tell young people how such behaviour affects them and what it is that upsets them.”
Fraser Booth, head teacher at Carnoustie High School, added that his staff would be willing to support any initiative designed to reduce vandalism in the town.