Holyrood View - More pride in place and consideration needed

It breeds constant anxiety, ruins quality of life, and places an immense strain on our police and council resources. From late-night noise and harassment like we've seen recently in our towns to persistent vandalism, victims often find themselves stuck feeling like they have few options.

A visible police presence is vital in helping to deter bad behaviour and keep our streets safe but if we rely on enforcement after damage is already done, we are fighting a losing battle.

As the chair of the Kincardine and Mearns Youth Clubs charity, I have seen first-hand the positive change foundations like this can make for people in the area.

Providing young people with a safe and familiar environment to spend time with their friends, can have an enormous effect, not only to their mental well-being but cementing their place in the community. It offers adults the opportunity to give back, creating those connections and learning from the people they meet along the way.

If we tackle the root causes of antisocial behaviour, the impacts are long-lasting and beneficial to all of society.

And it is not only the youth - adult antisocial behaviour is also rife, with recent instances in Forfar and Stonehaven, both with adults being the perpetrators. Places where there is a sense of community and belonging see less of this. Organisations like the Men's Sheds and Andy's Man Club contribute to that hugely.

We need to encourage everyone, young or old, to take pride in the place where they live and to have consideration for their neighbours, to give people purpose and encourage them to take an active role in their communities, because people who have pride in their place are far more likely to look after that place and their neighbours.

What I hope to see across Angus North and Mearns is prevention rather than criminal justice and custodial action - once a person steps across that line, it is so much harder to come back.

Our local communities deserve better, and I want to make sure they have the support, tools, and infrastructure to do so.

After all, it takes a village, and I’m ready to get started.