"Horrifying for elderly residents" – Alloa's dementia-friendly housing block targeted by youths

One resident is said to have been threatened with a knife on Monday, March 20, as a nuisance campaign escalated at Primrose Place in the town.

The award-winning development previously featured in the Advertiser, having transformed a brownfield site into housing that supports an ageing population.

It has the highest level of dementia-friendly accreditation; however, a resident told the Advertiser how a group of youths has gained access to the building, causing disturbances and behaving in a threatening manner.

Problems started on the weekend with police attending on Sunday before things escalated the next night.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous to protect their identity in the wake of the incident, told the Advertiser: "There were breaches with [youths] getting into the building, yobs running around, chapping older people's doors, trying locks and handles, throwing stuff within the hallways and pulling up plants in the gardens.

"It escalated on Monday night when there were about 25 surrounding the building."

The Advertiser understands one person was threatened with a knife in the process.

"Regardless of the police presence [on Monday] they still went into the building and it was very-very horrifying for some of the elderly residents, one of whom told me she decided to move that evening and went back to stay with her daughter," the resident continued.

"For it to be a gated and secure building, it was very-very ugly."

TERROR: Youths have been causing trouble at the award-winning dementia-friendly development

It has been claimed that signage was also removed and damaged in the building, specifically designed for an ageing population and those with dementia.

It is also understood that at one point, a youth gained access to an elderly lady's flat while a hearing aid loop was also damaged in an elevator.

The resident continued: "Because some of the residents spoke to them and stood up to them, it began to get uglier and uglier – eventually they were calling on some of the older ones, one in particular was brandishing a knife."

Police Scotland confirmed that officers attended on Sunday and Monday night and made clear the behaviour is "not acceptable".

Community Inspector Alex Hatrick said: "We were called around 8.55pm on Sunday, March 19, to a report of youths cause annoyance in the Primrose Place, Alloa.

"Police attended but they had left the area.

"We were called again on the evening of Monday, March 20, to reports of youths causing a nuisance and using threatening behaviour in Primrose Place, Alloa.

"Police attended and local community officers are continuing with enquiries to identify the youths responsible and are liaising with local residents.

"This kind of behaviour is not acceptable.

"Our regular patrols will be covering this area of the town and anyone with concerns about youth behaviour should call us on 101."

TERROR: Youths have been causing trouble at the award-winning dementia-friendly development

A spokesperson for Kingdom Housing Association, which serves as the landlord for 60 units for social rent there, told the Advertiser they were "extremely saddened" to hear about the incident.

The spokesperson added: "The safety, security and wellbeing of our tenants is our primary concern and we are working closely with partner organisations, including Clackmannanshire Council and Police Scotland, to make sure there is no repeat of this very troubling incident.

"Police patrols have been increased in the area, in addition to conducting door to door visits with residents, and we are investigating whether CCTV footage can help the Police with their inquiries."

"Colleagues from the housing association have been on site to investigate the damage caused, plan repairs and provide reassurance that the building is secure and that homes are safe.

"We are working with the contractor to enhance security at the development, plans are underway to have any gaps in the fencing closed and we are also considering how best to add additional security measures where we can.

"The safety of our tenants is paramount to us and we want them to be able to live in their home without fear, so we will continue to work with all agencies to address this issue and continue to support our tenants.

"Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or call Police Scotland on 101."