29/1/2010Spree of burglary and vandalism hits Kilwinning

By Donald Reid

It appears Kilwinning Main Street is being hit hard following a spate of burglary and vandalism.

Concerned residents woke on Monday morning to find a trail of vandalism centred around the lower Main Street and a shop burglary.

Further shops were targeted on Thursday night with a further three shops hit. In one case pupils going to Kilwinning Academy reported the shop being broken into.

This together with ongoing vandalism being reported in the Woodwynd area and Eglinton Park being hit badly mean public concerns are really at a high.

The thorny issue over concerns for the Main Street CCTV looks set to be reopened as in two cases the properties were in direct view of the cameras.

Residents are urged to contact the Police and report all crimes regardless of severity.

Donald Reid says:
Friday night was no different with Bickets the Butchers targeted with a member of the public discovering the open premises at 6am. This is another shop in full view of the CCTV covering the Main Street.
The barriers at the Lower Main Street covering the ongoing regeneration works were also again targetted by vandals.
It is now understood that plans to include the Main Street in the area coverd by the Community Wardens to combat anti social behaviour has been dropped as a Council Cost Saving, as quoted by one councillor to concerned residents and traders. No explanation can be given for the failures of the CCTV to pick up Main Street Crime.
Guest User says:
Maybe if we had a full quota of community police officers on duty in Kilwinning, Life would be easier for everyone.

It's my understanding that only two officers are now covering the town when we should have 6.

Sort it out please.
L Cochrane says:
Would it not be more beneficial to shut the dilapidated police office in Kilwinning main street and use the money to fund additional police on the beat.
colin young says:
The main street is a total no go area at the weekend with so many under age drinkers congregating in the Abbey grounds etc, I feel a more visual police presence would help with community police scouring the hot spot areas.
James Miller says:
I also feel that there SHOULD and COULD be more of a police presence around the grounds of Kilwinning Abbey where I am constantly clearing up after drinking sessions by youngsters. Some days the abbey could be renamed Buckfast Abbey instead of Kilwinning Abbey. Also, recently, North Ayrshire Council seems to have forgotten that there is litter in the grounds. I very seldom ever see any presence of their employees.
Guest User says:
Absolutely spot on Mr Millar.
lynn doyle says:
maybe the parents should be held to account they must know their children are drinking and are not of age to do so, why blame the police they are doing what they can and when! the main street is not a no go area at the weekend perhaps the people who write these things should do something positive and report the shops and people who are breaking the law by selling to teenagers.
Madeleine Fisher says:
If you see underage drinkers behaving obnoxiously in the town centre at the weekend, how are you supposed to KNOW where they purchased their alcohol?? Go up and ask them?? A highly visible police presence would go a long way to solving this problem in the town centre/Abbey area - then little Billy or Senga can be delivered back to mum and dad to vomit on their floor.
sandrea gibbs says:
Just want to add that actually a lot of the time it's the parents who are purchasing the alcohol for the minors, also there is absolutly nothing to do in Kilwinning, no resources, no funding for young people, it's as though they are just forgotton about or all tarred with the same brush!

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