PARENTAL concerns over a reduced security presence at Harvie’s Ice Rink have continued despite KA Leisure’s reassurance that children’s safety is not at risk.

As the Herald reported previously, management at Auchenharvie Leisure Centre have axed their G4S staff during the Saturday and Sunday skating sessions.

One local mum told the Herald this week that she feared teenage gangs were taking advantage of the reduced security and were causing fights at the facility.

The parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s as if the word of mouth has gone about that there’s no security.

“There were never any gangs before, nothing like that, but since the cutbacks ...

“There were gangs up on Friday night looking to beat up folk.

“There were about eight of them and they wanted to beat up a young boy of about 12 or 13.

“He had to get them [the security] to let him in to phone a taxi. The taxi pulled up and one of the boys ran over and were trying to pull him out the taxi.

“You should have heard the cheek they were giving the security. It’s worrying. 

“My young daughter, she was petrified. But they just don’t seem to care.

“They [the staff] were doing the best they could but they’ve got to watch as well because there’s only two of them.

“On Friday there, I was talking to the security staff and they said everybody was to be out by 9.30pm and they wouldn’t get back in again, even if there’s trouble going on.

“If there’s trouble outside and the kids are not allowed to run back in, where are they supposed to go?

“They’ve got a duty of care to these kids.

“The police were contacted last weekend because there were underagers drinking and they were flung out.

“I just feel there should be more getting done about this.”

Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for KA Leisure said: “The reported incidents had taken place at the weekend when security staff were on duty.

“The incidents were dealt with appropriately.”

A spokesman from Police Scotland said that locality officers often patrolled the area and that there had not been any specific incidents reported at the leisure centre recently.

He added: “We would encourage people if they have been affected by anti-social behaviour to contact police on 101.”