Concern raised over anti-social behaviour
‘People are afraid to walk along their own street,’ a resident of Glenshellach Road told Oban Community Council at its recent monthly meeting, writes Sandy Neil.
For over a month, residents walking their dogs have reported being ‘abused’ and ‘threatened’ by ‘rowdy youths’ hanging about in unlit sections on this popular pedestrian route in and out of town. The area is not covered by CCTV.
Reports also emerged of vandalism to parked cars on the route, possible drug dealing, and an incident where beans and tomato sauce were ‘splattered’ across the front of a family home.
‘I live on Glenshellach Road,’ Oban community councillor Keith Miller told the meeting on Monday March 28, ‘and I’ve had a number of local people over the last four to five weeks contact me expressing concern that there has been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour, with people being intimidated by local youths.
They report they have been abused, threatened, and subject to various other harassments. In one case a family have had the front of their house splattered with baked beans.
‘Dog walkers at night have been particularly vulnerable and threatened by rowdy youths, who seem to be congregating in the unlit sections of Glenshellach Road.
‘For many months we have had repeated vandalism of vehicles along Glenshellach Road.
‘There has also been very specific complaints about very blatant drug use, and even some suggestion of street dealing.
‘It is a serious issue. A number of people are now afraid to walk along their own street.
‘Unfortunately the police don’t seem to be particularly interested.
‘They say there’s nothing they can do unless they have names and clear descriptions of those involved.
‘I said I would raise this at community council, and see if I could get the council to agree that we make a formal representation to local police asking that they should take the problem more seriously, and possibly increase patrols in the area.
‘It is quite distressing to those exposed to it.’
Community councillor Laura Corbe concluded: ‘I am sure I speak for all the community councillors: it’s so important that Oban doesn’t lose the feeling that you are safe walking down the street.
‘That is something so special about this town and I would hate for that to change, and I would hate for my kids to find themselves wandering somewhere feeling intimidated.’