Booze-fuelled yobs wielding axes and machetes bringing terror to Scots council area
BOOZE-fuelled yobs are bringing terror to a Scots council area - with a 13-year-old lad stabbed by a blade-wielding gang.
Spooked locals claim lawless young teams are running riot in North Lanarkshire, where a schoolboy was knifed in Moodiesburn last week by a masked mob.
It comes as chilling images from the areas show boozed-up rival young teams posing with a terrifying arsenal of weapons, including machetes and axes.
Armed gangs have left frightened residents too scared to leave their homes at night — amid fears someone will be killed.
Terrified townsfolk are urging cops to crack down on the booze-fuelled yobs who have flaunted their array of deadly weapons on social media.
One chilling picture showed thugs — some in surgical gloves — lurking in an alley brandishing machetes, metal bars, a hammer and baton.
In another snap, 20 masked louts from the “Carbrain Fleeto” pose in an underpass with axes, knives and a spiked baseball bat.
It is understood rival gangs from Cumbernauld, Moodiesburn, Chryston and Croy, in Lanarkshire, are embroiled in the feuds.
On Friday night, masked yobs aged between 12 and 20 knifed a boy of 13 near shops in Moodiesburn.
The lad was rushed to hospital following the savage attack on Friday — and police are still hunting the attackers.
Residents took to social media to call for tough action amid concerns of further violence.
One wrote: “All I’ve seen on Facebook over the last week is about gangs of youths causing chaos in Cumbernauld and surrounding areas.
“I hope they’re all held accountable. The police really need to do something before a young kid’s life is taken. It is getting worse.”
Another worried local suggested free bus travel made it easier for the gangs to reach rivals’ turf.
They said: “They can hop on and off buses to different areas which brings its own problems.
“The weapons being openly flaunted are terrifying.
“Neds barely in their teens are arming themselves with axes and machetes. Where are their parents?
“Strong action is needed as people don’t feel safe at night.”
Politicians in Cumbernauld last night admitted residents’ concerns about the yobs have grown.
Councillor Ann Ballinger said: “People have told me they’re worried about walking on footpaths in the town centre, especially at night.
“The police are working hard to deal with it.”
"The police really need to do something before a young kid’s life is taken. It is getting worse."
Cops have upped patrols and visited schools to gain information about the gangs.
But there were calls for more resources for over-stretched officers.
Tories’ shadow community safety minister Sharon Dowey said: “The SNP need to give our hardworking police the resources they need to crack down on those responsible and help keep communities safe.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton weighed in: “Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our society.
“It can be a living nightmare for the communities affected by it. They will be praying for more police on their streets.
Cops still probing knife attack
BY HARRY WILLIAMSON
COPS are continuing to investigate the stabbing of a 13-year-old schoolboy in Moodiesburn.
Detectives have been scouring CCTV and going door-to-door in their relentless bid to bring the attackers to justice.
They have urged anyone with information about what happened to call the police.
Officers say a woman rushed to the aid of the young assault victim and took him home before he went to hospital.
CID cops have urged the woman to come forward to help them with their probe.
Detective Constable Craig Hartley of Coatbridge CID said: “Our investigation in this serious assault is ongoing.
“We are reviewing CCTV footage and carrying out door-to-door enquiries to identify those responsible.
"I would appeal to motorists who were in the area and have dash-cam footage to come forward, you may have captured something that can assist our enquiries.
“We are keen to trace a woman who came to the aid of the victim. She took him home before he went to hospital for treatment.
"It’s important that she comes forward to assist our investigation.”
“The government must do much more. That involves both cracking down hard on criminality, but also investing in youth work and training opportunities to divert young people from destructive behaviour.”
Campaigners warned that weapons-wielding thugs bring “real fear and concern” to communities.
Will Linden, of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, added: “Whilst we recognise that the overwhelming majority do not get involved in violence, some young people do and sometimes with devastating consequences.
"Neds barely in their teens are arming themselves with axes and machetes."
“What is important is understanding the complex reasons behind weapon carrying — identifying why young people pick up a weapon in the first place and the specific risk factors.”
Council chiefs in North Lanarkshire urged residents worried about attacks to contact cops.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour, and we have been working with the police to support their investigations. Our schools work hard to educate our pupils about the dangers of carrying weapons.
“Anyone with information should contact the police.”
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Last night, Inspector Barry Maguire said: “We have allocated visible patrols across Cumbernauld and Moodiesburn and our Community Policing Team are actively engaging with schools across Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and surrounding towns to gather as much information as we can to identify those involved.
“Anyone concerned about anti-social behaviour is encouraged to contact police by calling 101 as promptly as possible.”