Boy, 14, seriously hurt in Kilmarnock town centre stabbing
- Published
Stagecoach told people to stay away from the bus station following the attack
A teenager is in hospital after being stabbed in Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire.
The 14-year-old boy was attacked in Soulis Street near the town's bus station at about 18:30 on Monday.
The boy was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where he is in a serious but stable condition.
Police said the teenager's injuries could have proved life-threatening had he not received immediate medical attention.
Police and ambulance crews were seen at the nearby bus station and officers cordoned off part of the footpath near the terminal.
Stagecoach announced on Monday evening that buses would avoid the bus station, with passengers dropped off at other stops.
More than two hours after the attack, the bus company said the station had re-opened and services were operating as usual.
The incident comes just weeks after Stagecoach stopped evening services from Kilmarnock Bus Station due to anti-social behaviour.
East Ayrshire councillor Barry Douglas explained the decision was made due to incidents involving "gangs of youths".
He said passengers and staff had been intimidated and threatened, while there had also been reports of vandalism and assaults.
The town centre has been a focus of extra patrols due to anti-social behaviour
Services subsequently returned to normal following the introduction of additional security measures, including CCTV coverage and a police action plan.
Councillor Douglas told BBC Scotland anti-social behaviour was a problem in the town centre.
"There seems to have been an upsurge in the last few days with crowds of youths," he said.
He said the council was being briefed and if police presence needed to be increased, it would be.
He had a message for parents of teenagers in the town: "Make sure you know where your young people are.
"The town centre is open for business and public transport should be safe and needs to be used without any fear."
'Positive line of inquiry'
He said there would be an increased focus to make sure the bus station was not becoming a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.
Det Sgt Sarah Holland, of Police Scotland, said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who may have information that can help our inquiries to establish the full circumstances of what happened.
"If you saw any groups of youths in the town centre just before or after the attack, you may be able to help us.
"In addition, if you were driving in the area and have dashcam footage that could assist then please get in touch, external.
"We are treating this as an isolated incident and would like to reassure the wider community. Extra officers will be patrolling the area and we are following a positive line of enquiry."
'They're coming in as gangs'
Stuart McFadden blames free travel for groups of youths coming into the town centre
The stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Kilmarnock comes after weeks of complaints of disruptive behaviour in the town centre.
Butchers Stuart McFadden and Jim Paton work across the road from the bus station at Pollok Williamson butchers
Mr McFadden said: "Personally I believe it's a result of the free travel for under-22s. I think they're coming in as gangs."
He said what went on outside was a concern for the business.
"I feel sorry for the drivers as well. They've got to contain it all."
Roseanne Thomson said the police presence had calmed things down
Mr Paton said activity increased in the late afternoons.
"See about 16:30-17:00, they're running about like mad. But the police have come and they've kind of clamped down a bit.
"It does get a bit intimidating sometimes but you've just got to live with it."
Roseanne Thomson uses the bus station. She told BBC Scotland: "I heard the buses weren't coming in here, but thank goodness that stopped because the police were here and there wasn't any more bother.
"I think, it's just the usual - a few causing trouble instead of being grateful for getting a bus pass and getting free travel.
"It's just the usual minority that think they can cause trouble."
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- Published20 September 2022
