INVESTMENT in safe community hubs is needed to tackle the blight of anti-social behaviour in Tullibody, a Wee County councillor has argued.

The King O'Muirs play area has been plagued by broken glass and petty vandalism, and the Conservatives' Darren Lee believes it is deterring parents from taking their children along during the day.

He raised the possibility of trim the bushes which currently enclose the area, as one way to reduce youth disorder, but called for a commitment on reliable playparks for youngsters.

He told the Advertiser: "One young child has already been injured on broken glass and it’s only a matter of time before more children are hurt.

"These young adults and children really need to see the harm they are causing, not just here but all across the area, to local families and the taxpayer.

"It’s not economical for the council to clear the area, repair and replace equipment that has been damaged due to vandalism."

Cllr Lee continued: "The police have been hands-on in dealing with this situation through engagement and monitoring. However, PC [Leigh] Allen has concerns that the lack of visibility into the park is causing the area to turn into a den, becoming a hotbed for trouble.

"The council have listened to the concerns of both the police and local residents and have been really proactive in reviewing what can be done to rectify the problem.

"One such suggestion, popular with residents, could result in an overhaul of the shrubs and tree line in order to increase visibility into the area and deter antisocial behaviour."

In the long-run, however, Cllr Lee feels the council should redevelop Tullibody Civic Centre, to give young people have somewhere to socialise.

He said: "There is nowhere for these kids to go, nothing for them to do. I hope the administration will reconsider their current stance on the Tullibody Civic Centre and see merits in future investment and development of this essential community space.

"Young adults and children need a place to go where they can put their energy into sports, creative enterprise and socialising with their peers. This would encourage them to engage with their community, instead of being bored and destructive."

Meanwhile, council leader Les Sharp underline the SNP's near-£17million investment in Tullibody over the years – aimed at reversing the "neglect" it has endured "over many years".

He said: "Anti-social behaviour in any environment is unacceptable and Clackmannanshire Council work closely with our partners in Police Scotland to address these issues, if there are barriers to dealing effectively with this problem I am happy to look at assisting where applicable.

"The civic centre accommodates a number of both community and council activities available to varying age groups and welcomes anyone who wishes to take part, the venue is still an operational unit and Clackmannanshire Council has taken no decision with regards to its future.

"I will, however, speak to our youth teams to see if there is any further engagement they are able to offer."