Readers of a daily newspaper have had their say on how new legislation should operate.

The Greenock Telegraph gathered evidence of anti-social behaviour in a bid to help crack down on crime in Inverclyde.

What readers had to say provided an important backdrop to the proposed Anti-Social Behaviour Bill.

Communities Minister Margaret Curran said: “For any consultation to be effective it is vital those with first-hand knowledge of the issue have their say. That is why the role played by the Greenock Telegraph was so important.”

The Telegraph’s managing director Stewart Peterson said: “Hundreds of people sent letters and e-mails to us during the campaign we started following a visit to Inverclyde by Margaret Curran.

“Names, addresses and other information about anti-social behaviour and other illegal activities were passed to the police and, as a result, more than 70 arrests were made by the end of August.”

He said the paper had a duty to publish the news as it was – which did not always present a good picture of the area.

And the local Member of the Scottish Parliament Duncan McNeil said the newspaper had provided a useful role in helping readers shape the new Anti Social Behaviour Bill.

He said: “It reflects the will of the vast majority of my constituents who contributed to the unprecedented public consultation on the issue.”

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