The schoolgirls want more police to target youths on the street

Nicola Hardie and Rachel Fraser explained the area around their school was affected by litter and graffiti.

The youngsters, from Lenzie Moss Primary, East Dunbartonshire, claimed pupils from a nearby secondary were responsible for many problems.

They said people often felt intimidated by groups of older school children hanging around local shops.

The two schoolgirls took their case to the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee.

They made a plea for ministers to increase the number of frontline police officers.

'Protecting the community'

Nicola said: "The litter warden had been contacted but said they would not come out without a police officer because they felt intimidated."

Rachel added: "Our police need to be out on the beat protecting the community.

"Stabbings, muggings, robbery and much more petty crimes have been happening and it needs to stop now."

Committee convener Michael McMahon told them legislation passed by MSPs on anti-social behaviour gave police and local councils the power to deal with problems such as vandalism and littering.

He added: "It's very concerning for us to hear the legislation we brought through doesn't seem to have the impact we hoped it would."