In relation to crime and antisocial behaviour, the community council (PCC) seemed to be a lone voice until late 2022 and the frustration this caused with our members led to talk as to whether the effort, we made was worth it. Indeed, in November 2022, our chairman finally decided that enough was enough and resigned. The writer took up the reigns. To be fair, our past chairman, Les Turnbull supported by Malcolm Bruce was making progress. We were also fortunate to have the support of Iain Gibson who was experienced in young people’s charities and projects.

At the end of last year several parties, many of whom were already doing good work, including SBC, Police, Oorspaceyouthy, Peebles Youth Trust, Tweeddale Youth Action, and St Andrews Leckie Church. helped to create Peebles Youth Voice. Although early days, this has made a forum that pools knowledge and experience and includes a strong involvement of young people. Several initiatives are under way such as young peoples’ coffee evenings at Costa Coffee (suggested by constable Moody), Teen events at the Eastgate Theatre, part funded by the Common Good, and plans for a youth shelter in Victoria Park funded by SBC. Present councillors including “Youth Champion” Cllr Julie Pirone are very supportive.

Much work has also gone into the possibility of creating a Streetpastors group in Peebles. Streetpastors is a national organisation which has a proven track record. They are volunteers from different churches who care about their community. They are non-judgemental and do not push their religion. Street Pastors help, listen and by their presence reduce tensions and problem behaviour. A recent Peebles trial of Streetpastors was held and an internal report, looks very encouraging. To quote from the report: “We returned to Tweed Green and engaged with a different group at the old band stand. We noticed a large group heading towards the town when some sort of skirmish happened. This was very brief and over by the time we got there. However, a couple of youngsters spoke to us about it and appeared grateful that we were around”. The writer can see a real benefit from Street Pastors being implemented and the PCC is grateful to the local churches and their members for giving it consideration.

Unfortunately, almost during the same period that these initiatives were being taken, a small group has raised the problem from antisocial behaviour and mindless vandalism to downright criminality. This should not detract from the good work being done which is producing a foundation which we hope will have a positive effect. Recent events have generated a great deal of comment, directly to PCC and on social media. Some of this, is informed and reasoned and some not so.

It is not easy to write an article in just 1200 words that does justice to a very complex subject but let us lay one subject to rest. There is no room for vigilantism. It is criminal behaviour and quite rightly so. Many innocents have been hurt or worse by vigilantes. Ninety-eight percent of kids are well behaved and respectful, if a little noisy at times. We should not alienate them as this would only make matters worse.

Some feedback on the proposed youth shelter at Victoria Park suggest that the shelter will be vandalised, destroyed, create rubbish, and concentrate trouble. Therefore, one should do nothing. These views are understandable, and indeed there are reports of shelters being vandalised elsewhere in Britain. However, the Thames Valley Police publication “Youth Shelters and Sports Systems – a Good Practice Guide”. includes experience and advice about the problem of young people with nowhere to meet and socialise with their friends. The document notes that the police are often called to deal with congregating youngsters, but that moving youths on is not effective, as they merely move back as soon as police have left. This process frustrates everyone involved and conflicts can escalate resulting in more serious offences. Examples from councils where shelters have been properly considered demonstrate that at least in those areas there is a reduction in problem behaviour. A consultation event in Victoria Park attended by Tweeddale East councillors demonstrated that 78% of respondents agreed that it should be tried.

These initiatives will help with those young people, who are like me in my youth. I was naughty but not nasty and if we truly look back and are honest, most of us would fit into that category. The good kids of course aren’t a problem. For the very small percentage who can be trouble: then we need the police and the criminal justice system to work and around this there is great deal of public concern.

To succeed in life, we all need self-discipline and values that should “treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves”. Mostly self-discipline is learnt from parents who teach right from wrong and from discipline enforced in schools. Sadly, a minority of parents leave this to the schools and many in the community are concerned that school discipline is not what it once was. Authorities need to consider this and take appropriate action.

I’ve been asked to pose a question. Where did you go as a teenager growing up in Peebles? The Wimpy Bar which opened late? The cinema perhaps? There were discos as well. Apparently, there was quite a lot for young people to do and in this respect, there isn’t quite so much now. Perhaps something to think about?

Now to the police. We have two police officers allocated to Peebles, PCs Vivien Carsley and Serena Moody and it is up to us as a community to support them. Crimes that are unreported don’t exist and crimes reported but for which no one provides evidence go unpunished. We should make one thing clear. These officers are not sitting idle. They are pursuing initiatives, working with the High School, and supporting Peebles Youth Voice. However, the fact that Scottish Borders Council pay £560,000 a year to fund some community policing in the Borders via the Community Action Teams (CAT) means that Police Scotland is either underfunded or is short-changing the Borders community. In essence, we are subject to double taxation, firstly, through general taxation and then through our council tax. Also, front line police are often replacing back room civilian staff weakening the system even more. This article is not the place to debate the use of CAT teams, but it does need to be debated. Perhaps there is a better way to use them? The threat to the policing of events such as the Beltane surely means there are too few officers. Once upon a time, we apparently had a fully manned station in Peebles with up to 14 officers. Not so now. There is another issue. If an officer arrests a person, they can only be processed in Hawick, Edinburgh, or Dalkeith. In effect two officers must escort the person to one of these centres to book them. Immediately the town loses its police cover, probably for an entire shift. Not ideal we think.

We know that statistically, Peebles is not a high crime area. We also know that the growing trend of reported crime recently, is creating concern amongst the public. Two major fires and several recent assaults are deplorable and any further increase is clearly unacceptable.

Peter Maudsley

Chair

Peebles and District Community Council