Latest Violence in Milnathort
:REID CALLS FOR ZERO TOLERANCE
Milnathort, 3 April:
Following the latest serious assault in the town on Friday, SNP candidate George Reid said that the "most basic freedom is the freedom to walk the streets without fear".
Speaking at a public meeting in Milnathort Town Hall, Mr Reid added that violence and vandalism by youths had reached unacceptable proportions. "The assault on the local resident is not an isolated incident. It follows other attacks by young men on innocent individuals going about their lawful business."
Mr Reid said that "tougher action" was required immediately:
• The police should show "zero tolerance" at the first sign of trouble caused by drink and drugs.
• The authorities should speed up the process to "ringfence" Milnathort and Kinross. A ban on drinking in public would give the police clear authority to act.
• Tayside Police must locate their officers in the communities which they serve.
"I can remember coming to Kinross as a boy, when four police lived locally. Though the community has now doubled in size, it is served only by officers in cars who have to patrol the motorway and landward area. And, of course, when there is an arrest, they have to go to Perth."
• The community itself should step up its pressure for action. The SNP candidate said that he had attended the last public meeting on the subject and would continue to liaise closely with the local action group.
As an immediate measure, Mr Reid has asked the Chief Constable of Tayside to increase patrols in Milnathort and the presence of his officers on the streets.