PARENTS say their teenagers are being unfairly arrested because of a dispersal order introduced to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The order covers the Markhouse Road and Queen's Road area and gives police powers to move on groups of two or more people causing anti-social behaviour, or likely to, and to make an arrest if they return within 24 hours.

It was brought in by the local authority because of numerous complaints about graffiti, vandalism and intimidating behaviour.

But some parents say their children cannot go out in a group during the summer holidays without fear of being arrested.

At a public meeting chaired by the Markhouse Safer Neighbourhood Team yesterday at the Markhouse Centre, in Markhouse Road, several angry parents said they are not against the order, but how it is being enforced.

A mum said: “Some children have finished school for the summer and can't hang out with their friends.”

A father said: “My son was served an order then was caught on CCTV visiting his friend's house in the same area.

"He is now being classed as a criminal but has never been in trouble before.”

One mum told officers: “A dispersal order isn't solving the problem. We need to give some provision for kids up to the age of 19 who don't want to go to church clubs.

“It is such a shame that a kid could get a criminal conviction. It sends them down the wrong road in life."

Chi Chen, also a parent, told police: “These youths you are dispersing will be adults in a few years time and it will be difficult for you if you have already alienated them. I am suggesting a more intelligent approach.”

But residents at the meeting were divided because some said the order had already improved the area.

A mum, of Lennox Road, said: “We have been plagued by youths spitting, swearing at us and smashing windows, but since this order came in it has been heaven.

“You don't know what it has been like for us. My kids couldn't go out before.”

Acting sergeant Carl Clarke told the meeting: “I understand there are some residents who want a dispersal order and others who don't. But the order is in place here because of the number of complaints made by residents.”

He later added: “I believe that every teenager is intelligent enough to know that you don't come back to an area within 24 hours if you have already been told to disperse.”

Neil Gerrard MP said at the meeting that he too was probably hanging around on the streets with his friends as a teenager.

He said police need to crack down on those actually causing criminal damaage.

He said: “But if there is three or four young people not actually doing anything, then we should leave them alone.”

The order started at 6am on July 6 and will end at 5.59am on January 5 next year.

Are you against this dispersal order? Or do you think it has improved the area? Call Mhairi Macfarlane on 07795 316229.