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| -Lurid Crime Tales- |
| The Beginnings Of Vigilantism In Scotland |
| 2007-01-11 |
| The Ochil hills have stood for centuries as benevolent guardians to one of the smallest and most picturesque villages in Clackmannanshire. Now, however, they are providing an ominous backdrop to a drama unfolding in Menstrie, a community boasting its own historic castle and spectacular baronial mansion. With a population of just 2000, it is a village at war with itself - and it is a battle many locals claim that police, despite strong denials, are ignoring. Raging teenage gangs - the village's "untouchable generation" - are allegedly blighting the area to such a degree that vigilantes are threatening to patrol its small streets in a van and inflict punishment beatings on perpetrators. While rumours abound that the questionable action has already begun, it is a retaliation borne out of pure frustration, say villagers. In an anonymous letter to police, warning of action, they say the teenagers fuelled by drink and drugs are wreaking havoc in the area. Tales are told of intimidation, arson attacks, beatings, as well as vandalism of the local church and businesses. One of the only two general convenience shops, which both serve as off-licences, in the community's Main Street is Windmill Stores. As soon as the nearby schools close their gates, a gang of around 20 mixed sex teenagers - some as young as 12 - congregate yards from the store every evening. The shop's entrance door, patched together with plywood, is testimony to the problems played out there. Since buying the shop in October, Baber Ali has had its door kicked in several times by gangs intent on vandalism and robbery. Young relatives and staff have also been assaulted, he said. "It has just been horrendous. My shop has been trashed and the gangs stand there and intimidate and shout abuse at people," he said. While Central Scotland police warn that anyone taking the law into their own hands faces arrest, Mr Ali said he could see why some could be driven to desperate measures. "If someone is going to keep spitting at your door and the police don't do anything about it then, sooner or later, even the most tolerant person will retaliate." Gwen Davidson, 54, who manages the store, has been in the retail trade for 16 years. She said: "I thought I would be working in a lovely quiet wee place, but I've really had my eyes opened. It's been a shock. "The gangs come in and just throw stock around the shop, shoplift and intimidate people. They have even set fire to a garage filled with vintage cars. We bar them from the shop, but they still come in. When they are told to get out, they just look at you and say make me'. The younger ones in particular know they can't be touched." Although she said she did not condone vigilante behaviour, she added: "I can see why people are at the end of their tether. They're just fed up with the whole thing." Aileen Taylor, 25, a mother-of-two, originally from Alloa, has lived in the village for six years. She said: "I've never lived in a place where the young people have such a problem with alcohol. I'm not even talking about weekends, this is every night they are out in force. "They don't cause me a problem because I know many of them. They also know they'd get a good slap if they tried anything. But I can understand older people being intimidated." A disabled pensioner, who has lived in the area for 50 years, recently had her car vandalised. The 62-year-old said: "I take my car everywhere. I would never be out on the main street on my own at night. People talk about how Menstrie must be a lovely quiet place to live, but they really should try it. The only good thing about the village these days is the road out." One young woman claimed one of the gang members received two years' probation for a sexual assault on her last year. The 18-year-old said: "After he was charged, the rest of the gang would shout abuse in the street, even though he was in the wrong. The whole incident shattered my confidence, I'll never be the same again. But they won't win." However, not everyone feels the same. Helen Harrison, 83, lives near to where the gangs gather. She said: "I haven't seen any problems and feel perfectly safe here." New housing developments have been popular, so there is an appeal to the place, despite claims of rampant out-of-control behaviour. A father-of-two, 28, who moved to one of the developments a year ago, said the behaviour displayed was just "everyday youth culture". "They're not doing anything that youngsters in any other community haven't done over the years. As a teenager, myself and my mates hung around outside chip shops and places like that. But it was only because there was nowhere to go and we just wanted to keep warm. Older people just see teenage gangs and assume they're up to no good." But drinkers in the Burnside Inn, which has itself apparently been targeted by gangs, claimed there was a core of around seven "hardcore troublemakers" known to villagers and the police, intent on causing mayhem. One group of men called for a greater police presence in the area. One man, calling himself "English Dave", said: "People are just sickened. Nothing is getting done, even though everyone knows who is causing the trouble." Describing the perpetrators as "bullies", Ged MacKenzie, 49, a factory worker, said: "These people are up in court week in, week out. "I moved here 30 years ago from an area that was so rough you wouldn't walk your dog there. I thought I could settle down and be safe here. Menstrie should be an idyllic village." Central Scotland Police insisted it had increased patrols in the village, as well as a dedicated disorder unit to crack down on troublemakers across Clackmannanshire. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #3 Let us know if they actually do something. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2007-01-11 23:18 |
| #2 Perhaps the UK isn't quite dead yet. If more of this happens and begins to spread, there just might yet be hope for them. Not. |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2007-01-11 21:35 |
| #1 Soooo... can we see local people (in Scotland and other parts of the British Isles) being a little bit less snotty about American frontier vigilantes? Considering that such vigilante groups arose out of a local situation where law enforcement was either ineffectual or non-existant? A nice warm cup of schadenfreude, anyone? |
| Posted by: Sgt. Mom 2007-01-11 21:11 |