LOCH LOMOND

Police have pledged their best efforts to stop anti-social behaviour at Loch Lomondside beauty spots over the coming tourist season.

Officers told an Argyll and Bute Council committee meeting that plans were already underway to ensure a safe and trouble-free tourist period, with an increase in ‘staycationing’ expected.

Concerns about anti-social behaviour were raised by a Helensburgh Central councillor who claimed that drinking, smoking marijuana and fighting had taken place in Luss.

Councillor Graham Hardie raised the issue during a virtual meeting of the council’s community services committee on Thursday March 10. Councillor Hardie said: ‘We went to Luss quite a lot, and it concerned me about the level of young men drinking and smoking marijuana. There was also a fight that got quite vicious.

‘Are there plans in place to help stop this behaviour during the coming tourist season?’

Chief Superintendent Lynne Ratcliff responded: ‘There is no doubt that the influx of young people from other parts of the country in Loch Lomondside had a huge impact on communities.

‘We are working with the British Transport Police to police the trains and have already got an operation up and running which is absolutely about tackling anti-social behaviour by young people. We are working in shops where they may purchase alcohol, which is something we are very much aware of.’

Discussions between the police and representatives of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park have taken place about the matter.

Chief Inspector Emma Grimason added: ‘We are trying to get funding from Argyll and Bute Council and the national park to allow more permanent patrols, and have advertised for summer secondments to support the local police. We are currently working through applications for these posts.’