SEVERAL teenagers were arrested and will attend court following an incident at Dumbarton Central railway station which allegedly saw THREE British Transport Police officers injured.

Shortly before 9.30pm on Wednesday, April 11, officers arrested a 15-year-old-boy on board a train at the station.

BTP say that following the arrest, the officers were involved in a clash with a group of young people, and they sustained minor injuries.

Five girls and two boys, all aged between 14 and 16 and from Dumbarton or West Dunbartonshire, were arrested for various public order offences.

BTP confirmed that each of those arrested have been released on an undertaking to attend court on May 2, and that a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

And public figures have expressed concerns on the wider issue of youth crime in the area, with the train drivers’ union ASLEF even threatening to “withdraw the service” if rail staff feel threatened by continuing anti-social behaviour.

Kevin Lindsey, Scottish organiser at ASLEF, said: “The continuation of anti-social behaviour by youths on and around the railway in West Dunbartonshire is a major concern to train drivers who work these services.

“We wish to serve the people of West Dunbartonshire with a rail service, but we will have no hesitation in withdrawing the service if rail staff feel threatened, intimated or assaulted by the continuation of this behaviour.

“We will continue to work with other agencies to try and eradicate anti-social behaviour on Scotland’s railway.”

David Lister, ScotRail Alliance sustainability and safety assurance director, said: “Anti-social behaviour at our stations and on-board our trains is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to work with the British Transport Police and other agencies to tackle this.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our priority, everyone should be able to go about their journey in peace.”

Inspector Roddy MacNeill of Dumbarton Police said: “Youth disorder will not be tolerated in any form and our officers will continue to work closely with local partners to tackle this issue.

“Officers on patrol will be paying particular attention to the area and anyone caught engaging in this criminal behaviour will be arrested.”