A DEDICATED team of police officers, council staff and other local partners are continuing to work towards solving the antisocial behavioural issues that have rocked parts of the county in recent months.

Police Scotland, East Lothian Council and others are working in unison to address the issues caused by a small group of young people within the Preston Seton Gosford ward.

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Action, including plans to extend the level of youth facilities in the area and an increase in high-visibility police and community warden patrols, will be implemented following the recent formation of a Problem Solving Partnership.

Inspector Stuart Fletcher, deputy local area commander for East Lothian, said: “As part of the police response to recent issues in Prestonpans, officers from the East Lothian Community Action Team and Prestonpans Community Policing Team are actively targeting those responsible and would encourage members of the public with information regarding this activity to report this to Police Scotland via 101, our online portal or by using 999 in an emergency”.

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Emma Brown, East Lothian Council's connected communities manager for Preston Seton Gosford, said: “The council has been working alongside other agencies in extending the support available to our young people.

"This includes the extension in the provision of open drop-in facilities, the recruitment of a designated local youth worker and tailored interventions directed at those most in need of additional support."

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Emma added that street based youth outreach work has recently been extended, through which the council hope to establish what young people want by way of additional activities.

She concluded: “We recognise the level of concerns within the community regarding recent antisocial behaviour, although we would highlight the fact that it is only a small minority of young people who are behaving in a way that is putting themselves and others at risk.

"Our overall objective is to encourage all young people to make positive choices, and by doing so, enjoy living in and contributing to their communities."

Details of the clubs and activities can be found by visiting Connected Communities East Lothian Council.