Anti-social hell of Haddington street dubbed '˜ASBO Avenue'

FED-UP residents in an East Lothian street have told of their torment after five ASBOs were granted to noisy neighbours in the space of just six months.
Carlyle Gardens, HaddingtonCarlyle Gardens, Haddington
Carlyle Gardens, Haddington

The anti-social behaviour orders were passed after complaints of foul-mouthed rants and threats in Carlyle Gardens, Haddington.

In the latest last week, Sharon Aitken, 42, was handed one of the orders after shouting abuse and repeatedly banging on doors at her home.

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“Living in this street is horrendous,” a neighbour reportedly said. “There’re disturbances at all hours of the day and night.

Neighbours are regularly threatened and intimidated and every second night you would hear shouting, swearing and arguing.

“They were all just as bad as each other and it felt like a different one was causing problems every night.”

The ASBO bans Aitken from alarming or distressing her neighbours and from shouting, swearing at or threatening council staff.

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Carlyle Gardens couple Robert Fyvie, 37, and Lisa Forrest, 41, were slapped with ASBOs for similar threatening and abusive behaviour.

Kevin Sands, 33, and Amanda Winter, 44, have also been given orders in recent months in a bid to improve behaviour.

Police confirmed officers have been called repeatedly to the street over the last six months by residents at their wits’ end.

A spokeswoman said: “Police in East Lothian have attended a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in Carlyle Gardens, Haddington over the past six months.

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“We have a dedicated anti-social behaviour liaison officer based at East Lothian Council and we share information openly with the Council to tackle these kinds of incidents.

“In the event of a breach of the terms of an ASBO, police will investigate and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal where appropriate.”

ASBOs were introduced nearly 20 years ago in an effort to clampdown on loutish behaviour - breaching an order is a crime.

A East Lothian council spokesman said: “East Lothian Council has a robust antisocial behaviour policy in place and we respond to all complaints about any behaviour that is causing alarm or distress to others.

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“The Council’s Safer Communities Team works closely with colleagues in Police Scotland to investigate such complaints and to gather relevant evidence.

“In recent months, legal action has been pursued leading to ASBOs, both interim and final, being served on a number of residents of Carlyle Gardens, Haddington.

“This has been greatly appreciated by the majority of residents who have experienced considerable disruption and distress as a result of the actions of a few.”