POLICE firmly believe they helped bring the problem of drunken youths coming to Troon under control following a highprofile summer campaign.

Sgt Dean Barlas said they had been better prepared for the invasion than last year when things spiralled out of control.

The Police ran the Safer Shores safety campaign from June until September and the annual initiative aimed to improve community safety and reduce antisocial behaviour on beaches in summer.

Sgt Barlas said: “We did have some reports of drink being stashed in gardens.

“But I was at the sand dunes late at night andfirst thing in the morning to make sure there was no drink. We also had CCTV.”

He added: “Our main concern this year was not so much drunk and disorderliness, but more the state of some ofthe youths.

“The Ambulance Service and Red Cross were fantastic and a centre was set up to help.”