REPORTS of running battles involving makeshift weapons at the annual visit of the shows to Galashiels have been played down by police.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesperson reported only one arrest of a 16-year-old for a breach of the peace in the Public Park at 8pm on Saturday.
The boy had been preparing to fight another teenager surrounded by about 30 other youngsters and w
hen police officers tried to intervene, the 16-year-old threatened and attempted to assault them.
But eyewitnesses have reported further trouble later on that night, with youths allegedly targeting workers on the popular arcades and rides.
One eyewitness said: “There were running battles going on across the shows, with poles, hammers and bottles being brandished as weapons.”
The police spokesperson said that extra patrols had been monitoring the shows, but denied that anti-social behaviour was common during their visit to Galashiels in Braw Lad’s Gathering Week.
He added: “There is not any more trouble than outside the supermarkets at weekends.”
Bill White, chairman of Galashiels Community Council, said he had not heard of any large-scale fighting on Saturday night.
Mr White said: “I heard that there had been some carry-on but nothing to the extent of weapons being used. I do not know whether this is people from the shows versus locals or locals against other locals. But I heard of no trouble in the town centre.
“Trouble at the shows has never been an issue in the past but I have no doubt if anything did occur it will come before the community council.”
