By Charlene Kelly

A Fife village which hit the headlines recently following a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents has a lot more to offer besides yobs wreaking havoc, a senior community education worker has insisted.

The Courier reported how police were investigating a number of acts involving teenagers in the Kinglassie area in recent weeks, ranging from vandalism and low-level harassment to more serious incidents which have shocked the community.

One of the latter variety took place last Wednesday evening when a 49-year-old man was badly beaten by a crowd of youths after trying to move them away from his property.

Local councillor Raymond Duguid branded the incidents “unacceptable” and said there was “nothing for the kids in Kinglassie to do.”

Responding to this claim, senior community education worker Margaret Gemmell, who has worked in the village for three years, said there was an “abundance” of youth projects in the area.

“Nobody can say there is nothing for youngsters to do because there are four youth clubs which target all age groups and numerous youth projects ongoing in Kinglassie, run by various dedicated individuals who do a fantastic job and deserve a pat on the back,” she said.

“We’ve also run various workshops under the Operation Firefly initiative, a joint initiative with Fife Fire and Rescue Service and community education which works with teenagers who have issues with self-esteem or who are unusually quiet at school.

“Another project is a radio initiative which offers youngsters the chance to get involved in things like verbal surveys to break down barriers between age groups.”

Margaret feels the recent problems were more likely the result of a minority of youngsters intent on causing mayhem.

“It’s a shame that a small number of people are bringing the good name of the place down because the majority of young people have been more than happy to take part in these schemes and invest in their futures,” she added.

Central Fife MP John MacDougall said he had written to Chief Constable Peter Wilson and Fife Council chief executive Ronnie Hinds to highlight his concerns.

“I want the message hammered home that there is no good reason or excuse for violence and vandalism and I would like to see the police, Fife Council, the children’s hearing system and, most of all, parents drumming home these points,” he said.

Mr MacDougall said he would also be seeking a meeting with the community council and councillors.