Published: Monday, 5th April, 2010 12:15pm

Police clamp down on anti-social behaviour in Galashiels

by Ally McGilvray

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POLICE have denied claims that some parts of Galashiels have become 'no-go areas'.

Last week, we reported a major undercover operation was underway to target gangs of drunken yobs who were terrorising shoppers outside local supermarkets.

It followed reports of a rapid rise in the number of complaints of anti-social behaviour in the area at the start of the year - some involving children as young as nine.

But, this week, local Inspector Mike Wynne pointed out Galashiels was one of the safest places in the Borders.

He admitted there had been a problem with a minority of youngsters congregating outside Tesco and Asda. But, following an increase in patrols during Operation Grate, he revealed the number of complaints had fallen from 25 last month to just three this month.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Inspector Wynne said: "We would like to reassure the public that Galashiels is a safe place to come and visit - there is no 'no-go area' anywhere in the Borders.

"We are committed to stamping out anti-social behaviour and act quickly whenever we receive a complaint.

"On this occasion there was a group of about five individuals who are known to us that did cause problems, like running up and down escalators and being cheeky to people."

But he added: "When we identified those individuals they were dealt with robustly and we have not have a reoccurance of the problem."