Violence in the High Street

Marc McLean writes in this week’s Lennox

DUMBARTON has been branded a trouble town following a series of bloody brawls in the High Street last week.

In three consecutive days of violence, a man’s leg was broken, another man was stabbed, and a drugs and booze-fuelled street fight erupted in front of stunned shoppers.

And in the early hours of Sunday morning a 76-year-old man was battered over the head with a weapon as he walked along the High Street.

Shop owners have expressed their disgust following the recent attacks and Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, which represents many of the traders, is concerned about the sudden surge in violence.

Chamber chief executive, John Corcoran, said: “We are distressed that our town seems to be becoming a haven for thuggery. It is driving the elderly and visitors away from the town centre, which is tragic.

“I witnessed part of the incident in the High Street on Friday and was shocked such a thing was happening.

“It all started with two guys having a punch up and then it became a full blown attack, with half a dozen people involved – including women.

“One guy was covered in blood. He had taken a few hard blows to the head and then got a kicking on the ground.

“This was all happening in the middle of the afternoon, it was disgraceful.

“People were just standing looking at it absolutely stunned.”

He added: “The traders and the council are trying to make Dumbarton a decent place to live in but this is being spoiled by the actions of a few thugs.”

The first incident occurred last Wednesday afternoon when a 31-year-old man was set upon outside Woolworths and suffered two broken bones in his leg, a fractured metatarsal and cuts to his head.

The next day a man was stabbed in Quay Street and traffic had to be halted for an ambulance to reach the victim.

On Friday, a group of people, believed to be high on drink and drugs, began brawling near to MacLean Jewellers at around 3pm.

Catherine Barrett, owner of Aunties Tea and Coffee Shop, told how a former Dumbarton couple spoke of their shock at the state of the town centre that same day.

She said: “They are originally from Castlehill but have been living in Florida for over 30 years, and said they were horrified at what they came back to.

“They couldn’t believe the number of shops closing, and how many drug addicts and drunks were on the streets. I’m not surprised as most people who come in here give the same reaction.

“The couple were over on holiday to visit friends – but I don’t think they will be hurrying back.”

Catherine also called for more cops to be patrolling the High Street, saying: “There are never enough police in the town centre.”

A police spokesman said that the stabbing and street brawl had not been reported. He confirmed the attack outside Woolworths but said that no arrests had been made.

Witnesses are being sought following the attack on the elderly man in the High Street on Sunday.

He was struck on the back of the head with a blunt object at 1.25am and suffered a cut.

Anyone with information on either of the incidents is asked to contact Dumbarton police office on 01389 822000.

Business for Dumbarton will be passing the above article to the Police for their comments.

Pearls of Wisdom

One of my customers was remarking this morning about how the traffic management system had meant that she was no longer able to bring her disabled mother into Dumbarton to shop. ‘By the time my mum is up, about and mobile it is simply not possible for her to shop in the town’ said Margaret McVey who lives in Garshake. ‘We now go to Helensburgh’ she added. Margaret pointed out that she had witnessed individuals being driven by taxi (to the door) to pick up a methodone prescription, then they would come out and be driven (again to the door) to pick up a carry out.

Margaret asks why her disabled mother cannot shop in the town in the afternoon but individuals like the one highlighted above can.

I have tactfully changed some of the words used by Margaret but I think she makes a very good point.

Let’s Follow the Paisley Pattern

For years Renfrewshire Council told the people and the traders of Paisley  to stop moaning. They were in denial that their traffic management system imposed in 1997 with inadequate consultation had basically killed a once thriving town. According to previous councillors led by the now totally discredited Richard Manser, the reasons for Paisley’s problems were everything from Braehead to the traders themselves. They kept repeating the mantra that they had invested millions and therefore it wasn’t their fault. The traffic management system was hailed as an example for other towns to follow, and others did including Dumbarton. The net effect here has been the same. Congratulations to Paisley’s councillors who have reversed the years of decline and decided to re-admit traffic, and shame on their predecessors for allowing it to happen. Business for Dumbarton now calls on West Dunbartonshire Council and the consultants MVA to take the same bold step and re-admit traffic to our High Street so that we can begin to repair the damage done by the current system implemented in 2005. It is also crucial that disabled access and parking, along with the general parking deficit is addressed.

The following is from last weeks Renfrewshire World.

Forgive me if I have used this quote before but it’s a good one as well as being apposite in this case.

‘All truth goes through three stages: First it is ridiculed; second it is violently opposed; and third, it is accepted as self-evident. ‘ – Arthur Shopenhauer