Cumnock residents are growing increasingly concerned over antisocial behaviour which is taking place in the town centre, mainly in Cumnock Square and near the bus terminus.

Staff and punters from The Victoria Inn have reported large groups of youths, aged around 12-15 years, who have ‘taken over’ the Square – intimidating passers-by and not adhering to social distancing.

The incidents are also believed to be affecting neighbouring pubs and takeaways, with many customers ‘terrified’ to leave at closing, and some elderly folk even having to be escorted into taxis.

Linzie McCrindle, barmaid at The Victoria Inn, said: “There’s around 50 of them, not even at night, around four or five o’clock and at the weekends. Customers are scared to go for their bus or taxi because they’re quite intimidating so if two members of staff are on, one needs to escort them to their taxi because they’re absolutely terrified.

“They’re so rude and shout and you as you’re going by, throwing bottles too. They all eat out of the kebab shops and leave rubbish lying in the Square. The old ones are terrified to walk by them. Friday and Saturday nights are the worst.

“I’ve never seen the police coming to move them on. If they do, it’s once in a blue moon. A lot of people have been complaining about it but they don’t come into the pub so we can’t physically do anything. It’s went on for months now and has gotten worse since we came out of lockdown.”

A regular customer at The Victoria Inn told The Chronicle: “I’ve seen it the last two Friday nights. I drink in the Victoria Inn and the youngsters are intimidating, mainly because of their number. No social distancing at all.

“To think, some get on to buses, but they could all be COVID-19 carriers after mingling. People in New Cumnock are talking about it and as it concerns Cumnock bus stands, I take it every other town is as well.

“The kids are rowdy and it’s going to get worse as they’re in control.”

Ali, manager at Chilli Tonight in the Square, said: “It’s just at the weekend they give out to you because they’re drunk. I think last week they stopped the Chinese takeaway driver and said things to her.

“They don’t do anything to us, I don’t have any problems with them.”

In response to events like these, Community Planning partners in East Ayrshire have this week launched ‘Operation Ellipse’ to highlight their work in tackling antisocial behaviour.

The initiative sees Police Scotland continuing to work closely with East Ayrshire Council and partners to target those involved in antisocial behaviour,.

Chief Inspector Steven Meikle, Area Commander and Chair of the Community Planning Partnership’s Safer Communities Delivery Group, said: “In the coming weeks we will be undertaking additional patrols in areas identified as repeat locations for reports of antisocial behaviour, conducting joint visits with partners to householders to remind them of their responsibilities and highlighting the support available locally to help resolve neighbourhood issues.”