POLICE were forced to disperse groups of youths who had gathered on a beach in Inverkip and set fire to a number of bushes.

Eyewitnesses estimate that at least 50 young people were mingling at Harbourside, with more arriving each minute.

Additional patrols were put in place in the area after the incident last Thursday which breached the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Chief Inspector Paul Cameron, whose covers K division, says officers are still looking into what happened at the beach.

He said: “Police received a number of reports regarding a group of youths gathered in Inverkip. Officers attended and found a number of youths who were dispersed.

“Further enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and additional patrols were put in place over the weekend to prevent any further disorder.”

Dramatic pictures from the scene show a number of bushes alight near residential properties. These were extinguished by firefighters.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 6.28 pm on Thursday to reports of bushes on fire at Harbourside, Inverkip.

“Operations control immediately mobilised an appliance to the scene and firefighters extinguished the fire.

“The crew left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Inverkip residents have been left shocked by the incident and say it is becoming a recurring issue during the summer months.

One said: “This is shocking, there is absolutely no need to set fires never mind so close to people's homes. There are far too many of these louts gathering.”

Another resident says there is little for youngsters to do in the area and believes a dedicated place for teenagers to meet would reduce problems with anti-social behaviour.

They said: “I think going forward as a community here and in the wider area, we should look at asking for places for teenagers to be able to hang out.

“In countries like Germany they have social hubs that are geared towards them that include pool tables, coffee bars and music.

“These could be safe spaces where they could get together. There will always be issues, but it is better than having nowhere of their own to go and causing trouble elsewhere.”