AN ARDROSSAN resident says she has been forced to look for a new home due to the ongoing anti-social behaviour in Central Avenue.

Last month the Herald revealed that 22 deliberate fires had been started in the street in the space of just eight weeks with a fire crew also attacked on March 16.

The resident who wishes to remain anonymous said: “The situation is terrible. It’s just constant. It’s got to the stage where people have stopped phoning the fire service. 

“There are no bins anymore as those starting the fires would put fireworks in them and they would explode. There is also smashed glass everywhere in the park. It’s that bad that I am trying to move.”

Police are currently conducting enquiries into the incidents with officers encouraging parents and guardians to speak to their children to encourage responsible behaviour that does not leave residents “living in fear”. 

Inspector Alison Wilson, of Police Scotland’s community policing team, said: “Attacks and threatening behaviour towards emergency service staff will not be tolerated.

“Officers are currently conducting enquiries into the circumstances surrounding incidents in Central Avenue, Ardrossan, and we would encourage anyone with any information to come forward and speak to police.

“Deliberately starting fires is both reckless and dangerous. I would ask parents and guardians to speak to the young people in their care and support us by encouraging responsible behaviour, which does not leave other members of the community living in fear.

“Our dedicated teams of police officers continue to work hard to ensure this type of behaviour is stopped and all crimes of this nature investigated robustly.

“Anyone with any information can contact police by calling 101.”

North Ayrshire Council confirmed that they had to temporarily remove bins from the area until they are certain the anti-social behaviour has stopped. 

A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily remove the public bins until we are certain the anti-social behaviour has stopped. It is extremely disheartening that the reckless actions of a small number of people are ruining this shared outdoor space for the rest of the community.”