A 16-year-old boy has been charged with assaulting a shop worker in Cowdenbeath. 

He was also, along with five other youths, charged in connection with anti-social behaviour in the town. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Six youths aged between 14 and 16 have been charged in connection with anti-social behaviour in Cowdenbeath. The incidents happened around the High Street area.

"A 16-year-old male will be reported to the procurator fiscal for assaulting a retail worker and vandalism to a motor van and will be due at court at a later date.

"The other five youths will be reported to the Youth Justice Team."

Councillor for the Cowdenbeath ward, Darren Watt, had earlier told the Times that the trouble in the town goes beyond youths "hanging about". 

"It's one thing when we’re getting tales of anti-social behaviour or vandalism within town centres where it’s groups of youths ‘hanging about’ so to speak but when they’re actually then causing harm, causing risk and displaying destructive behaviour, that’s when it’s a real problem.  

"There have been issues and concerns at the Cowdenbeath Retail Park, at Lidl and B&M, to the point that large groups have been congregating in the stores, there have been reports of shoplifting and destructive behaviour but even to the point where I've been told a staff member was recently assaulted. There’s absolutely no excuse for that whatsoever.  

"If somebody can't even go to work without fear of being assaulted then that’s a real concern."

Sergeant John Nicol, from the community policing team, has encouraged concerned residents to report all incidents so that Police Scotland can take "appropriate action". 

He said: "We are aware of the issues that can be caused in our community by anti-social behaviour.

“This kind of behaviour is not acceptable and we work closely with the Fife Council Safer Communities Team and other partner agencies to address these issues.

“Officers carry out patrols and engage with young people and we will take appropriate action where needed.

“We encourage anyone with concerns to report them to Police Scotland via 101.”