OIC facilities fall foul of anti-social behaviour

A spate of alleged anti-social behaviour involving young people at OIC facilities has been reported to Kirkwall Police.

Whilst most teens in the county are polite, mannerly and well behaved, there have been a number of incidents of alleged property damage, graffiti, and nuisance behaviour at Orkney Library & Archive, the Stromness Postman Pat Play Park, Bignold Park and the pitch at Meadowbank.

Vikki Kerr, Team Manager (Libraries and Archives) said: “We absolutely encourage everyone to make good use of our fantastic facilities within all our libraries, however, it is simply not fair on staff and other users to have to tolerate anti-social behaviour of any kind.

“Unfortunately, groups of young people are making a habit of visiting the Library and Archive and being rude, disturbing other users and causing damage. The matter has now been reported to the police in Orkney.

“We are appealing to the young folk involved to heed this warning as this type of behavior will not be tolerated. We know most young people in Orkney are well behaved – we ask others to take a leaf out of their book and follow suit!”

Complaints have also been received around youths gathering in the Postman Park Play Park in Stromness, causing a nuisance through noise disturbance, littering, and causing damage.

We also recently reported graffiti to a newly installed bench within the Bignold Park and there’s been damage caused to a pitch at Meadowbank.

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “In general, our young people are well behaved, mannerly and represent Orkney well. However, we are not immune to anti-social behaviour. The summer holidays will be upon us soon and with the lighter nights, we know that many more young people will be out and about later into the evenings.

“It is so disappointing to hear these reports and it is important that we take a stand in a bid to nip it in the bud. Orkney offers a wonderful array of activities for young people, from our fantastic countryside, beaches, walks, arts, crafts, leisure facilities, youth clubs and a new offering in Heads Up – for those aged 16-25 to get together.

“We need young people to consider how their actions impact on others and how what they feel may be silly little acts now could impact on them in the longer term if they were to end up in the Sheriff Court with a criminal record.”

Kirkwall Police acting Inspector Simon Hay added: We have been made aware of issues, particularly within the library and will be carrying out focused patrols in the area. Should anyone witness antisocial behaviour please contact us on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.