Winter illuminations damaged before being put up
Residents in Blairgowrie and Rattray have been encouraged to report incidents of antisocial behaviour following the vandalism of lights in the town’s Wellmeadow.
There was dismay on Wednesday last week when it was revealed replacement illuminations, sourced by Perth and Kinross Council following a concerted campaign by the community council and elected members such as Councillor Caroline Shiers, had been damaged prior to them being erected.
Repair work has been swiftly carried out by local authority staff.
However, a post on the community council’s Facebook page following the initial news lamented an apparent recent increase in incidences of vandalism in the town.
The statement read: “Over the past year or so the amount of vandalism in the town has been ridiculous with just stupid, thoughtless acts seeing things like the well’s protective cover being smashed and now the new replacement tree lights in the Wellmeadow being vandalised before they’re even up!
“That protective cover on the well was made of 10mm bulletproof perspex. What kind of idiot spends time hacking away at that, and for what?! It’s not like any money was taken, or was there to take, so why do it?
“The community council, along with Cllr Caroline Shiers, have been working extremely hard to get PKC to find the money to replace the small tree lights in the Wellmeadow, which light up the place and make it look amazing.
“They also help cut down on the noise in the town centre because they don’t seem to want to linger in illuminated places but, even as these lights are in the process of going up, the junction boxes and strings of lights are being broken or ripped down. What’s wrong with people?”
The post continued: “Blair’s a nice place, with lots of people who want it to stay that way, who volunteer their time and energy to make it a lovely place to live and work in.”
It concluded: “If you don’t want to be part of that, that’s fine, but don’t keep hampering the hard work of those who do.”
Cllr Shiers said: “I was so disappointed to hear from the council officers working on this project that there has been vandalism of the lights.
“They are being installed to bring some much-needed light and vibrancy to the Wellmeadow through the winter months.
“We are working to improve the centre of the town in the evenings – with many pubs and eating places in the Wellmeadow area it is a real boost to have it look attractive in the evening.
“I hope that the individuals involved in the vandalism will be identified and that there will be no repeats of this mindless act.
“I would ask the community to ensure that any anti-social behaviour is reported to the police and hopefully the lights will be left alone so they can be enjoyed over the coming months.”
Police Scotland was said to be aware of the situation and conducting enquiries.
Anyone with information contact the force on the non-emergency number, 101.