Police have vowed to clamp down on trouble makers in Balloch after a succession of violent incidents, including stabbings and an assault.

Trouble has flared in Balloch Park on three occasions in the past week as crowds of youngsters, lured by the heatwave, flocked to the popular spot.

Two teens were stabbed and another assaulted as tensions between rival groups flared in the hot weather.

On June 25, cops say a 15-year-old boy received 20 stitches after allegedly being stabbed in his left arm.

Police attended the park around 7.40pm in response to reports of youths in possession of knives and fighting.

On attending they found the injured boy, and arrested and charged a 17-year-old boy from Glasgow at Balloch railway station with alleged serious assault. The 17-year-old was held in custody for court.

Cops say they are also investigating another alleged assault, said to have occurred on the evening of June 27, in which a 14-year-old boy was allegedly verbally abused and threatened by youths.

The boy is said to have run to a nearby play park, before allegedly being kicked in the face by a girl. Police say they are following a positive line of enquiry.

On Friday evening, another stabbing took place in the park during a disturbance involving a large number of youths.

The victim, a 15-year-old boy, was rushed by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where he was released after treatment to his wounds. Enquiries are continuing.

Police say three male youths, one aged 15 and the others 17, were arrested following the disturbance.

The 15-year-old is the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal, as is one 17-year-old.

The other 17-year-old has been charged and released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.

Also on Friday evening, three trains were disrupted due to the police attending an incident on board a train.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “Anti-social behaviour at our stations and on-board our trains is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to work with the British Transport Police and other agencies to tackle this.”

Now police have said mounted patrols, alcohol confiscations and a “robust” approach to trouble makers are all set to feature as part of an increased police presence around Balloch park.

Inspector Roddy MacNeill of Dumbarton said: “The good weather is bringing increased numbers to Balloch. Any individuals intending to attend the area to cause disorder or become involved in violence will be dealt with robustly.

Murdoch Cameron, chair of Balloch and Haldane Community Council, said he had anecdotal evidence that a number of gangs of youths from Clydebank had been coming to the area and “causing trouble”.