Residents praise high profile police op PEOPLE living in troubled Larkfield have praised a police initiative aimed at tackling drug and gang culture.

One mum paid tribute to the work officers have put into chatting with teenagers and children.

Beat cops regularly patrol the scheme which has been the scene of violence flaring between those living in upper and lower Larkfield.

As two mounted police patrolled the district along with 10 officers on foot, one 40-year-old woman said: ` I feel safer and reassured. I think the police have hit a nerve and are keeping the drug dealers on their toes.` She added: `Before the weans saw the police coming and lifting people and they thought that was all they did.` Another 36-year-old woman added: `I think it is great. There is an attitude that the police are the baddies in Larkfield, but they are doing a lot with the children and changing their views.

`Maybe the next generation will be more inclined to go to the police.` Officers are paying particular attention to the area between Nairn Road and Angus Road and also rough ground near St Andrew's Church where young people often drink and cause disturbances.

Sergeant George McAllister said in recent weeks youths had smashed windows at St Andrew's Church and damaged parked cars.

He added: `We are targeting disorder and our initiative is very high profile and aimed at alleviating the fear of crime.` Since the initiative began, 50 people in Larkfield and seven in Braeside have been charged with drug possession by the team. Four others have been charged with supply.

A total of 569 people have been searched with 14 in Larkfield and two in Braeside reported for having weapons. Thirty-six people have been reported to the fiscal for disorder offences in Larkfield and one in Braeside.

When the initiative was launched all 3,000 households in Larkfield and Braeside were given a leaflet to fill in with details of criminal activity in their area.

Inspector Charlie Paul said 120 people returned their forms. Officers are now working on information provided.