Thieves and vandals have targeted recycling centres across Perthshire, stealing high-value materials and setting fire to skips, sparking security fears.
Staff at the sites have also been fitted with body-cams after reports of threatening behaviour towards employees.
Centres in Inveralmond, Friarton, Auchterarder and Blairgowrie have all been broken into and council officials have raised concerns about the ease in which thieves and vandals gained access to the centres.
CCTV is not in operation at all of the sites but neighbours have reported thieves breaking into the centres shortly after closing time.
Flammable materials were also reported to have been set alight in unmanned skips.
Intruders targeted metal including copper wire and waste electrical and electronic equipment, which currently has a high resale value.
A report to be considered by councillors states: “Although manned recycle centre sites had fences, locked entrances and locked areas, all four sites reported break-ins through these perimeter controls, with wire fences scaled or cut through and locks broken with bolt-cutters.
“Locks did not deter intruders from gaining access. Some site perimeters were found to have some security issues.
“For example one site had a lower wall area to neighbouring land with a boundary
gap. A high free-standing ladder was positioned near the recycling centre fence
making access simple.
“Reporting of materials being removed from skips and left on site or thrown over fences were common and evidence of this was observed during the review.
“Outside one site, a nearby unmanned recycle point had materials reportedly set alight by vandals.”
Skips containing high value equipment were also found to have inadequate locks, with some described as “redundant”.
Employees at the recycling centres have been offered body-cams to capture “sustained or repeated threatening behaviour” towards staff.
The auditor said: “CCTV is not installed at all sites however all sites have a body-cam device for operatives to use for improved personal security.
“Although audit observed polite and helpful members of the public visiting sites, operatives reported experiencing occasional threatening behaviour.
“Any incidents are noted and those of most concern reported to the police. Lone working operatives are at higher risk.”
