Incidents of anti-social behaviour within St James Retail Park have “significantly reduced” over the last couple of months, say Police Scotland.

Sergeant Brian Simpson, of Dumbarton police, told the Reporter this is as a result of numerous initiatives of education and enforcement across a range of teams.

Alongside Police Scotland, the retailers themselves, the retail park landlords, West Dunbartonshire Council’s anti-social behaviour team, West Dunbartonshire Social Work, Criminal Justice partners, and British Transport Police and other voluntary organisations have all joined forces to get troublemaking in the area under control.

Sgt Simpson said: “Over the summer period we have had officers responding to incidents in the retail park and we have also recently deployed an officer whose primary role is to patrol the retail park and Dumbarton High Street.

“There have been, and will continue to be, regular meetings between the retailers, police and landlords to see how we can support each other to ensure that the risk of increased anti-social behaviour is kept to a minimum.”

He added: “The retail park will always attract young people who come to shop and eat at the restaurants, we want to encourage that, however, for the very small group of youths who are intent on acting in an anti-social manner the message is very clear: You are not welcome.

“Every incident reported to the police will be thoroughly investigated. If you are identified you will be charged. If you are not charged there are other options to deal with you.”

Dumbarton police have a plan in place which will be implemented if there is an increase in anti-social behaviour in the future, with Sgt Simpson stating it is hoped that it will not be required.