That was the question raised by one local resident following a vandalism attack in Cumnock town centre last week.

Michael McPake was horrified when he saw the gang of youths ripping up benches and paving slabs at Cumnock Square last Thursday. Brave Michael confronted the nuisance youths only to be followed.

Speaking to the Chronicle this week Michael said: “I was walking across the Square, next to the set of stairs when I saw a team of maybe six to eight youths ripping up the benches and the paving slabs. I challenged them and was threatened.” Michael, pictured, added: “They are hell bent on destroying Cumnock’s history. It’s absolutely disgraceful.

“I started to speak to them and they immediately put their hoodies up to try and hide their faces. I started to walk away from them and they slowly followed me, not aggressively, but they gathered around me and started to ask me questions about who I was. All of that after I stood and watched these people ripping it up.

“Something has got to be done. What the hell is happening to Cumnock?” Baracades put up to seal off the damaged paving have also been vandalised.

The problem that police face when tackling instances of anti-social behaviour is the lack of official complaints made to officers by members of the public.

Inspector Colin Shearer from Cumnock Police Office said: “It’s difficult for us to act on instances of anti-social behaviour when the incident is not reported to Police Scotland. I would urge anyone who does see any anti-social behaviour to report it to the police and we will work with the local authority to seek a solution to it.” East Ayrshire Council said they were aware of the reports of vandalism and officers had carried out an investigation.

They added: “The damage relates to some of the seating and street furniture in the area. We have secured or removed the damaged property while we arrange repairs at the earliest opportunity.” “There is also damage to steps and paving in the area and we are liaising with colleagues in the Ayrshire Roads Alliance to arrange repairs.

“The council is working in partnership with Police Scotland as part of their ongoing investigation”.