Security has been stepped up at a demolition site in Pennywell, Scotland after youths pelted cars with stones and rubble.

Community police officers and youth action teams are carrying out extra patrols of the site, which contains hundreds of former council flats scheduled for demolition.

Residents and community leaders have complained to police and the council that youngsters are using the site "like a playground" by climbing over fences and clambering over half-demolished buildings.

The teenage vandals have also been accused of starting fires in derelict buildings after ripping off metal plates on the windows.

Local councillor Elizabeth Maginnis said that there was a "big problem" and
said that the extra patrols were "vital" to ensure they were not seriously hurt.

She said: "It is something that I have heard a lot about from my constituents and it is definitely a big concern.

"I have been told by a lot of people about children scaling the roofs of half-demolished flats and throwing bricks at cars, so there are some real safety fears.

"We asked for a review of the site security and I am glad that the police and community officers are now carrying out extra patrols."

The demolition work is taking place as part of a £5.2million scheme to build a replacement campus for Craigroyston High School. Around 300 flats and houses in Pennywell are being bulldozed to clear a site for the new school, which is being built as part of the second phase of the council's Public Private Partnership project - a £550m scheme that will see eight schools rebuilt over the next 30 years.

Jenny Marrow, who heads Muirhouse community council and is a member of the Pennywell Tenant's Group, said that there was a "huge risk" to teenagers breaking into the site.

She said: "There has been a problem right from the beginning of the demolition with young people breaking into the site.

"Some of them are throwing stones at cars passing by, which is incredibly dangerous, while others have been playing on half-demolished buildings that could easily collapse.

"There are some of them who have even been lighting fires in the buildings, which puts themselves and the fire brigade at risk."

The demolition work was expected to be completed by September, with the school scheduled for completion in 2010.

However, the recent discovery of nesting swallows in one of the remaining buildings on the site could delay the project as workmen cannot remove the protected birds until they have left their nest.

Wildlife experts have said that the birds could potentially stay on the site until September - meaning the site may not be fully demolished and cleared until the end of the year.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders police said: "We have been made aware of the problems in Pennywell and, as a result, we have increased patrols from community beat officers, safer communities units and youth action team on this site.

"We are also working with other authorities involved with this site over improving security measures."

On Saturday, the News reported how a nine-month stand off on Pennywell Place came to an end when sheriff officers finally evicted Colin Gordon and his family.

Mr Gordon had put up razor wire at the family home - where his mother's ashes are scattered - and resisted attempts to oust him.