A GIRL of 13 was arrested by police for being drunk and disorderly as youths cause chaos in another Inverclyde neighbourhood.

Officers had to attend an old bomb shelter in the fields off Greenock’s Papermill Road at the weekend where a group of around 30 youngsters aged between 12 and 16 had gathered.

It is the latest location being used by young people from across Inverclyde to meet up, drink and create havoc for locals and emergency services.

The Tele visited the Overton site with neighbourhood police officers Lynda Quigley and Martin Ward to see the extent of the problem and discovered dozens of empty and broken bottles, cans and huge amounts of litter, including condom wrappers.

Large sections of grassland have also been badly scorched following a series of deliberate fires.

After spending time at the bomb shelter, youngsters are spilling out into surrounding neighbourhoods late at night with residents complaining of cars being damaged, wing mirrors knocked off, windows smashed, fences broken and bus shelters damaged.

PC Ward said: “We had to arrest a 13-year-old girl for being drunk, resisting arrest and being abusive.

“We were just trying to take her home to her mum. It’s coming to light through residents because they are damaging property and kicking wing mirrors off cars.

“We’ve all been teenagers at some point in time. The majority are no problem and we can talk away to them.

“But we want to emphasise that there’s other people here.

“Starting fires, breaking bottles, damaging property – that’s what we want to target than simply teenagers hanging about.”

Police are concerned about the safety of the young people and that of residents living nearby and their property.

Overton is among a number of hotspots across Inverclyde, including Pladda Fields in Port Glasgow and Inverkip Beach.
Many of the youths heading to Overton are using Drumfrochar Railway Station, with the problems also affecting surrounding areas such as Peat Road and Lemmon Street.

Officers are appealing to parents to make sure they know where their children are because many are still oblivious as to what is happening and ‘get a shock’ when they are told by police or are called to collect teens who have been detained because they are drunk.

The police and Inverclyde Council have been raising awareness of the problems and encouraging parents to keep a closer eye on their children via the hashtag – #doyouknow – on Twitter and Facebook.

PC Quigley said: “None of the kids were from this area, some are travelling from places like Port Glasgow.

“It’s having a big effect on people.

“The majority of the youths are not under the influence, they are just part of a crowd, but we’re trying to show the effects it’s having on the community. We’re working with the council on the ‘do you know...’ where your kids are campaign to highlight that parents have a responsibility.”

Youth disorder is also diverting vital police resources away from tackling and preventing more serious crime.

PC Ward said: “This is generally a quiet area, we don’t get much bother.

“But in terms of youth disorder, along with places like Pladda Fields and Inverkip Beach, these are three big areas.”