More good news for locals, tourist and visitors to Perthshire

Welcome to Perthshire - Binge Drinking

The Toy Town News reports that binge drinking is a major problem in Perthshire and that the area is in the grip of an alcohol crisis. Ian Conway claims 'the menace of binge drinking is now ingrained in Scots' culture and the Fair City is a trouble hotspot'

The ex landlord of the Ring o Bells claims that it's nothing to do with the towns small pubs but he points the finger of blame directly at off licences and "superpubs". You can see it now can't you, drunks rolling around in the isles of Asda and Tesco who then drag themselves off to the town for a few more cheap bevvies and a punch up in the superpub whilst all respectable people will be enjoying an orange juice or two in other local hostelries. Does one detect a slight bit of resentment or jealously there with regard to the popularity of the superpub rather than concern about excessive drinking by locals?

With the festive season upon us we can look forward to an escalation in the problem which will no doubt do wonders for the ailing tourism industry.

Perth and Kinross promoting Celtic Football Club

St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown is livid that Perth and Kinross council are promoting Celtic FC in Big County schools. I don't know why Mr Brown would be surprised at the councils action - they appear to have a policy of always promoting interests from outside the area rather than local interests.

The councils defence taken from their book of excuses was "We are keen to promote healthy physical activity for children and young people in partnership with sporting organisations both locally, including St Johnstone FC and nationally. We also want to ensure pupils are informed of the opportunities open to them"

The reason there are no opportunities locally for our kids is because the council actively discourage and prevent development in the Perthshire area.

They kept it from you to keep you pure and local - The Perthshire League of Gentlemen

AN OVERWHELMING number of people feel intimidated by drunken behaviour in Perth city centre at night, statistics published by the council this week reveal.

Eighty-five per cent of people surveyed by the authority said they had suffered some form of intimidation caused by the misuse of alcohol.

The figures are contained in a report on the council’s annual performance to be considered by councillors tomorrow.

The council have published the statistic as an improvement on last year’s figure, with more people—15% as opposed to 13% last year—stating they never feel intimidated.

The 938 people surveyed also gave other causes for intimidation they have felt at night including misuse of drugs (64%), verbal abuse (64%), begging (54%) and racial (36%).

The figures clearly show people feel safer within their own neighbourhoods, with 84% of respondents stating they feel fairly or very safe after dark.

In general, residents feel they are safer with a general decrease in the number of people who indicated issues such as littering, dog fouling, vandalism and anti-social neighbours remain a problem.

Very few people—between 2% and 10%—are worried about more serious crimes such as theft, assault, sexual and racial harassment.

However, the report acknowledges, “Further work is required to develop initiatives aimed at reducing the fear of crime throughout Perth and Kinross.

“The perception and actuality of crime varies, at times significantly, and it is vital that the residents of Perth and Kinross are aware of how safe the area actually is.”

The report continues, “Work is to be carried out in partnership with Tayside Police in developing initiatives aimed at reducing the fear of crime.

“For example the council is working with Tayside Police and Perth College to further develop...the Home Safe initiative.

“This involves working with licensees and transport providers to promote safe options for young women travelling home after a night out.”

A decrease in the number of road traffic accidents detailed in the report is also seen as a feather in the cap of the council.

The 131 people killed or seriously injured on local roads last year is well below the 1994 to 1998 average of 237.

The number of slight casualties (310) and children killed or seriously injured (14) is also lower than the average of 512 and 38.

The Courier Sept 20th 2005