A Falkirk councillor has called for more support to be given to victims of anti-social behaviour. Billy Buchanan, who represents Bonnybridge and Larbert, staged a protest at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday hoping to win backing for tougher legislation that he believes is needed to help people suffering anti-social behaviour.
The Independent councillor - a former Provost of Falkirk - said that he has seen a huge increase in anti-social behaviour and, he says, statistics show the problem is found across Scotland. After the protest Cllr Buchanan said: "There was a huge interest from the public - we stood at the very front entrance and people were asking questions and everybody was really supportive of what we were doing."
With Cllr Buchanan on the day was former Conservative councillor David Grant. Among those lending his support was Conservative MSP Alexander Stewart, who spoke to Cllr Buchanan and victims of anti-social behaviour.
He had hoped to meet with communities minister Ash Regan however, she wrote to say she was busy with meetings all day.
In her letter, she told Cllr Buchanan that the Scottish Government is "currently working with the Scottish Community Safety Network to work with communities and stakeholders to fully understand the ways in which antisocial behaviour impacts on lives and the constructive action we can take to prevent such behaviour for a potentially new approach based around positive action and behaviour".
However, Cllr Buchanan said he believes better legislation is now needed and he plans to speak to MSP's about bringing a motion to the Scottish Parliament to review what he calls "ineffective policies".
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
