The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Enough is enough’ says councillor as vandals strike again
Metal brackets torn from bridge and thrown into river
More vandalism in Perthshire’s biggest town has triggered calls for increased police patrols.
Metal brackets used for floral baskets and Christmas lights were ripped out and thrown into the River Ericht at Blairgowrie.
The poles were put in place by Blair in Bloom, a hard-working team of local volunteers, as a way to brighten up the bridge that links the town with neighbouring Rattray.
It is the latest in a string of incidents in the town centre, after damage was caused to seasonal decorations in the square.
Vandals also used tools to smash through a bulletproof Perspex cover on the town’s well.
Now police chiefs are being asked to step up patrols over the winter months.
Local Conservative councillor Caroline Shiers said: “Enough is enough.
“We have to identify who has carried out this vandalism and bring it to an end.”
She said: “The volunteers at Blair in Bloom work so hard to ensure the town looks great through the summer months and then in the winter the illuminations committee use the brackets on the bridge for the Christmas lights.
“The money to fund all of this is raised locally and takes a lot of effort.”
She added: “I am meeting with council officers regarding the community wardens being more visible around the town and also have been in contact with the police to ask them to help by increasing the presence of officers in the town centre over the coming months to reduce incidences of vandalism.”
The latest damage to the bridge brackets was highlighted by Blair in Bloom on social media.
A spokeswoman said: “Seven of the 10 metal poles we use for the hanging baskets on the bridge have been unbolted and tossed into the river.
“Two were visible, but the other five will be in deeper water.
“The remaining three have been taken down and safely stored.”
She said: “This is mindless, mindless vandalism which we think happened some time over the weekend.
“It is becoming more obvious that CCTV is needed in the town centre especially.”
Police Scotland said it was aware of an upsurge in “youth disturbance” in the Wellmeadow area and had urged any witnesses to the latest incident to get in touch.