WHAT has been described as an ‘all out riot’ took place last weekend with youngsters running wild in Ardrossan.

Reports of large groups of up to 100 kids between the ages of 13 and 16 around the Elm Park area left locals fearing for their safety and their property.

Now police say that they are going to step up efforts over the festive period to ensure that a repeat performance doesn’t occur.

One source told the Herald that those involved were like ‘animals.’ They said: “There was 90 to 100 kids running riot, should this be allowed? The police were contacted but they said they didn’t have the resources to deal with it.

“I heard that one woman was spat on and a mob were trying to get into her house. They are animals. It went right up from Elm Park to Central Avenue and someone kicked a dog and poured juice over it.”

Others took to social media to vent their anger with one woman saying: “All out riot in Elm Park last night, group of youths from Ardrossan between ages of 13 to 16 maybe younger or slightly older male and females, drinking, drugs, vandalising, trashing cars and assaulting people.”

Another local said: “Saw them at Stanley Road Chinese and outside the swings. Same happened bonfire night on St Margaret’s, we had to call the police cos one had (a) petrol bomb. But when the police arrived they all bolted. Typical hard men.”

The youths were heard all over the local area from as early as 5pm until after 9pm and police were called by concerned residents throughout the night.

A police spokesperson told the Herald: “On Saturday evening police attended a number of reports of disturbances within the Elm Park area of Ardrossan. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to these incidents and I would ask anyone with information to contact us on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity is guaranteed.

Over the coming weeks additional police resources will be deployed within this area as part of our festive safety campaign. In addition to this Three Towns Locality Police Team will also conduct further high visibility patrols within the area.”