Midlothian council tenants 'could face eviction' if feral kids caught on CCTV committing anti-social behaviour

Council tenants in Midlothian could face eviction if their kids are caught committing anti-social behaviour, as the council and local police launch a major crackdown on youth disorder in Dalkeith.

The move, which could see clauses regarding anti-social behaviour written into tenancy agreements, follows a series of reports of large groups of youths terrorising residents and vandalising property in the town centre.

Deputy Midlothian Council Leader Colin Cassidy said the town centre had become like the “Wild West” in recent weeks, with feral youths starting fires, running on rooftops and smashing windows.

“It’s out of control,” he said. “They gather around Eskdaill Court, smashing windows with trolleys from Lidl, setting fire to bins and banging on folks' windows leaving people with young kids terrified.

“People are terrified and won’t go near the town centre at night. It’s intimidating when you see them in their black clothing.

Feral youths have trashed Dalkeith town centre in recent weeks | Google Maps

“There can be between 40 and 60 of them all standing around and you don’t know what’s going to happen.

He said on Saturday night he made three 999 calls after being inundated with messages from terrified neighbours and constituents.

On Sunday morning he visited the scene to clear up the litter left, and said alarms were still going off.

He discovered they had also destroyed seating he helped install two years ago as part of a local gardening group’s initiative to improve the area for residents.

“We’re trying to look after the town,” he said. “This is where I’ve lived all my life and I don't want to see people damaging it.”

He said behaviour has worsened since the lighter evenings started and police are often too stretched to deal with the problem.

“There’s been a lack of attention from police and the council and they’ve been allowed just to get away with it,” he said.

“They’re getting bolder and bolder.”

Youths destroyed a seating area in Dalkeith town centre on Saturday night | Supplied

After a meeting this week, Mr Cassidy said the police and council are announcing new measures to crack down on the behaviour, including implementing new tenancy agreements with a clause regarding anti-social behaviour.

“If your kid is identified and you live in council property, you're going to get a knock on the door to tell you're effectively getting an ASBO, which could lead to eviction,” he said.

“That’s the lengths we’re having to go to because we need to protect the public.”

It is understood more details on the measures will be released by Midlothian Council next week.

In a statement, Council Leader Kelly Parry said: “Recent behaviour in Dalkeith town centre is completely unacceptable.

“These actions are causing damage to property, putting people at risk and placing an unnecessary cost on our communities. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their town centre.

“We are working closely with Police Scotland to address this, and those responsible should be aware that they will be identified.

“CCTV is being used to assist investigations and anyone found to be involved will face consequences, including action that could put their housing tenancy at risk.”

She added: “We want young people to enjoy their summer safely, but we will not tolerate behaviour that harms others or damages our communities.

“We would urge parents and carers to be aware of where their children are and to help reinforce this message.”

Police Scotland Chief Inspector Gordon Couper said: “We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour involving youths in the Eskdaill Court area of Dalkeith in recent days.

“This kind of behaviour is not acceptable and enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.

“Officers are carrying out regular patrols and anyone with concerns or information can contact us on 101.”