Police on the trail of ‘dirty campers’
Beauty spot crackdown continues
Tayside Police will continue patrols around rural Perthshire over the next two days as part of an ongoing multi-agency crackdown on ‘dirty campers’.
It comes after officers found many cases of littering and inconsiderate parking at Clunie Loch, Loch Tummel, Schiehallion and Loch Rannoch last weekend.
The police, in partnership with PKC and Scottish Fire and Rescue, have been reminding campers in these areas of their responsibilities to the environment and local communities.
Patrollers now have the authority to issue on-the-spot fines to visitors who do not move their vehicles and risk having it removed if it is causing a dangerous obstruction.
Those found littering or dumping materials may also incur penalties.
On their north Perthshire rural patrols, a Tayside Police spokesperson said: “Special constables Chris Burns and Oliver Crane were accompanied on Saturday by Steve Brayshaw from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Bobby Wardle from the Forestry Commission.
“They visited locations around Clunie Loch, Loch Tummel, Schiehallion and Loch Rannoch.
“A number of people were asked to move cars parked on main roads around Clunie Loch and Loch
Tummel/Foss Road, and everyone who was asked to do so complied with the request.
“Some campers also moved from a field at our request.
“A few issues arose on Sunday, mostly around people not tidying up properly when leaving, although the vast majority did the right thing and tidied up properly and took their litter home or binned it.
“A lot of bins were full to overflowing, but at least this showed a willingness by most of those who had been there to dispose of rubbish properly.
“At Loch Rannoch, one particular site had been left generally clean, but a fire was left burning on an area of dry grass, together with a gas lighter.
“Our officers put out the fire and placed the lighter into a bin situated all of 10 metres away.
“Some issues were found with inconsiderate parking near Schiehallion, which was a very busy place over the weekend.
“Despite a plethora of signage along with the deer fencing, numerous cars were parked on the verges.
“We are hoping to arrange for parking attendants to look at this over the coming weekend.
“Overall, while there have still been some instances of ‘dirty camping’ and inconsiderate littering and parking, we were pleased to see that most of those enjoying the countryside at the weekend did so in the right way.
“We’ll be out again this coming weekend to make sure this continues to be the case.”
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney and Strathtay ward councillor Grant Laing have welcomed the news that the A923, the main road passing by Clunie Loch, was made a clearway thereby prohibiting any vehicles from parking by the road.
Cllr Laing said: “This is not a silver bullet, but it is a clear sign of intent.”
Mr Swinney added: “This concrete commitment by Perth and Kinross Council officials is welcome, and I thank them for taking seriously the concerns of local residents.”
Meanwhile, the PA has teamed up with Don’t Trash Our Future – a nationwide campaign aimed at stamping out littering.