Glass and cig packets mess sparks a row

Unhappy dog walkers have been cleaning up shattered glass bottles and cigarette packets at Smithycroft – and say it is being used as a hangout for youngsters who constantly leave the place in a mess.

Fed-up residents are sick of tidying up the mess around the Hamilton nature trail and are urging the police to do something about it. The area is very popular with dog walkers and some of them say their dogs have been treated for cut paws.

Elenor Lawson said: “It is getting ridiculous now and is happening way too often. I’m not one for spoiling anyone’s fun, but when the dogs are in danger and are constantly cutting their paws it has to stop.”

The residents and dog walkers say they are continuously tidying up the area and on Saturday night the police were called after a fire was started in a field.

Dog walker Freya Kennedy said: “I have four Spaniels and enjoy taking them out with my wee boy. Recently we walked down our usual trail and it was covered in broken glass which isn’t safe for anyone. Someone needs to do something about it and fast.”

On Sunday morning some of the dog walkers in the area filled seven bags full of rubbish and broken glass bottles. One of them was Fiona Wood, who said: “We went out walking on Sunday morning and the place was an absolute disgrace. It should not be up to the dog walkers or the residents.”

Police Scotland were contacted and Inspector Scott Mccarren said “On a daily basis we use a variety of sources to examine issues in our area and we are aware that there are certain locations where there is repeated youth disorder.

Behaviour of some youths who frequent that area causes great concern to local residents