A crack police unit which deals with gang violence in some of Glasgow’s meanest streets has been brought into Largs to deal with the problems in Nelson Street.

Inspector Michael Oates said the unit had been called upon as the problems were “unlikely to die down without strong action” and that it would play a part in police efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour and crime. Intellgence information is regularly used by the specialist unit to tackle serious problems such as drug dealing.

The move followed a deputation of Nelson Street residents to Largs Community Council seeking action.

Insp Oates told the “News”: “The gang unit is an additional resource across the police division, and they can be deployed as and when required.

“We also have our own divisional resources we can employ as well, including the violence reduction unit who have regularly been in Largs. This is an issue which is probably not going to die down without strong action - this is therefore something which is going to have to be dealt with, and we would urge members of the public with any concerns regarding incidents of an anti-social nature report them to the police by phoning 101.” Largs Councillor Tom Marshall, vice chair of North Ayrshire Council’s licensing committee, welcomed the efforts which are being made in tandem with the council’s work to deal with problem tenants and landlords.

He told the News: “Our main aim as licensing committee is to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour — dealing with problem tenants and landlords who do not address issues with tenants. The licensing committee met this week to discuss a more robust approach to address the situation.

“Recent cases where landlords have been struck off the landlord register have certainly had an impact.” Cllr Marshall added that the pressure being brought to bear on negligent landlords was not simply punishing those failing to comply with the rules — but also addressing the concerns of some landlords who operated lawfully, day-in, day-out, and who can feel they have not been operating on a level playing field.