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.
Liberal Democrat councillor Graham Hardie raised the issue during a virtual meeting of the council’s community services committee last week.
And Argyll and Bute’s police chief confirmed that talks were due to take place with key bodies, including Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, on how best to manage visitors to the area.
He 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: “It is a very valid point and without wanting to repeat what we discussed at the West Dunbartonshire committee, we discussed that at length.
“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.
“This is without going into the tragic situation we had with drownings, which were nothing to do with anti-social behaviour.
“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.
“We have a meeting with the National Park tomorrow (Friday, March 11) to discuss the strategy further and it is very much underway. We are looking at the forthcoming Easter holidays and then going into the summer.”
Chief Inspector Emma Grimason added: “As Chief Superintendent Ratcliff alluded to, we have to continue partnership working, exploring the coming season and ask how we support each other in Luss and the surrounding areas.
“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.”
