A Kelty mother has taken to social media to raise the alarm about ongoing bullying at the local park beside the skatepark, after her sons came home bruised and battered on multiple occasions over the past few weeks.
Claire Pearson, posting in the Kelty Community Let’s Get Together Facebook group, said she had always resisted calling out bad behaviour online but felt she had no choice after the situation continued to escalate.
Her sons, aged around 8 to 10, had been kicked, punched, pushed, and had objects thrown at them by the same small group of children repeatedly.
“Today is the 3rd or 4th time over the past couple of weeks that my sons have come home having been kicked, punched, pushed, things thrown at them,” Claire wrote. “Kids should be able to play at the park without coming home covered in bruises from being kicked.”
She was careful to acknowledge that her own children were not entirely without fault, noting that words had been exchanged on both sides.
However, she was clear that the physical violence was something else entirely. Claire said she knows the names of those responsible but chose not to name them publicly, instead appealing to parents to speak with their children about appropriate behaviour.
The post quickly attracted a wave of responses from other Kelty residents who said they had witnessed or experienced similar problems at the same park.
Lynn Cochrane did not hold back, saying she would have no problem naming those responsible. “If they don’t listen to the parents then you absolutely should name and shame,” she commented.
Marion Ellwood said the park had a long history of this kind of trouble, adding that in her experience, the parents of repeat offenders tend to deny any wrongdoing.
Ddebs Sadlier revealed she had already stopped letting her own child go to the park because of the atmosphere there.
“It’s a bloody shame they canny play at a kids park without being threatened, hit or sworn at,” she said.
Harry Courtney called on parents to report incidents to the police if their concerns are ignored. He also referenced proposed legislation that would hold parents legally responsible for their children’s behaviour, though he expressed doubt that Scotland would adopt similar measures.
Mc Jemma, who lives directly across from the park, said she had personally had to intervene in fights on several occasions. “I have had to go out a good few times to actually stop kids fighting,” she said, adding that her own sons also use the park regularly.
Stacey Caino Somerville said her children, Kohan and Harper, are at the park most days and invited Claire to message her privately if they were involved. “I know they won’t be innocent,” she admitted, showing the kind of honest parenting attitude Claire had originally called for.
Angela Redpath simply offered her support, saying she hoped Claire’s boys were doing okay.
The post reflects a wider frustration in the Kelty community about the safety of public spaces for young children. For now, parents are urging each other to have honest conversations at home before the situation gets further out of hand.
