Clydebank now a 'priority' for cops due to stone throwing incidents

Earlier this week, we reported that taxi drivers in the town had slammed rail bosses over a ‘lack of action’ on promises to consider removing stones from Clydebank railway station.

After a reported increase in stone-throwing incidents in the Alexander and Chalmers Street area, Clydebank Taxi Operators and Drivers Trade [CTODT] contacted Douglas McAllister, West Dunbartonshire’s Provost, to press rail bosses on their behalf.

Douglas McAllister at Clydebank train station (Image: Douglas McAllister)

The Post can now reveal that targeted action will be taken by ScotRail and British Transport Police [BTP] to tackle this issue.

Clydebank will now be a ‘focal point’ for officers with BTP recognising concerns and acknowledging that stone-throwing incidents have caused damage to not only vehicles and nearby properties but also to trains and the railway station.

Taxi drivers in the town say they have been 'pelted' by stones thrown from the platform (Image: Newsquest Staff)

Over the coming months, there will be an increase in the visibility of uniformed officers at Clydebank station - where youths are currently launching stones from the platform.

Sergeant Maggie Ross of BTP has also pledged that all reports of anti-social behaviour and stone-throwing will now be investigated by BTP's crime management team.

This is a major shake-up as previously their policy stated that these incidents didn’t meet the Scottish Crime Recording Standards investigation threshold.

Sergeant Ross added that CCTV will continue to be used to identify those responsible.

It is understood two recent incidents of damaged vehicles were caught on camera.

This footage has since been forwarded to Police Scotland.

Provost McAllister said: “I appreciate that the relevant authorities including Scotrail, Police Scotland, British Transport Police and Clyde Shopping Centre have joined forces to discuss how to tackle the issue however more needs to be done.

“I was determined to intervene and ensure that decisive action is taken now to prevent any further incidents.

“Last week I requested that BTP allocate more resources to Clydebank. I am pleased to advise that they responded immediately.

“I also contacted ScotRail to demand that they remove the source of the stones and missiles which is the decorative stones on the platform.

“Hopefully they will be removed very quickly but I will keep in contact with Scotrail until the matter is resolved.

“I wish to thank ScotRail and BTP for the speed of their response and their joint efforts to assist me in resolving this issue.

“I am determined to support the Clydebank Taxi Trade and the residents of Clydebank and ensure that Clydebank train station and the surrounding area is a safe place for all.”