Fears over return of anti-social behaviour
Residents in a Perthshire village fear that anti-social behaviour will return now COVID restrictions have eased, according to a local councillor.
Carse of Gowrie ward representative Angus Forbes spoke out after being contacted by a number of worried Invergowrie locals in recent days.
They raised concerns over a repeat of last summer, where incidents of young people starting fires, vandalism, loud music playing and even reports of drug dealing took place in the village and the neighbouring hamlet of Kingoodie.
One particular incident last July even saw a man left badly bruised following an attack by a group of yobs near
Invergowrie Memorial Park.
Anti-social behaviour from young groups has been an ongoing issue for residents and in January 2020 an urgent community meeting was held with Police Scotland in the village’s parish church to discuss a spate of crimes that had gripped the village in previous months.
Cllr Forbes said: “Last summer as we came out of lockdown I was inundated every Friday and Saturday night with calls from residents of Kingoodie and Invergowrie about anti-social behaviour.
“Already residents have started contacting me again this year as they are living in fear of the problem returning as the weather improves and more restrictions are eased.
“Last year I was receiving as many as 11 phone calls up to as late as midnight from residents across the area with specific complaints about Kingoodie Quarry, East Mylnfield Quarry Pier and parts of Invergowrie.
“Young people were congregating, building fires, playing very loud music and some drug dealing was also reported.
“On occasion they even called for pizzas to be delivered to them.
“I then had further complaints from residents of Errol and Station roads about damage to parked cars and general noise issues very late at night.
“Residents have contacted me again this week expressing concerns about the likely activity this summer.
“Last year I had an incredible response from both Police Scotland and the council’s community wardens who responded almost every time. But, apart from moving the youngsters on, there really is little else they can do.
“I went and engaged with the youngsters on one occasion and I found them polite and friendly but they said they didn’t have anything else to do, thankfully they did agree to move to a quieter part of the area which caused less disturbance to my constituents.
“I have written to both Police Scotland and the council’s community safety team advising them of the residents fears and asking them to be ready to support my constituents as they did last year.”