”Proactive policing” is needed to reclaim a popular Perth park from anti-social drinkers, according to a local politician.
Councillor Stewart said: ”What is the point of the council putting in bylaws regarding drinking in open spaces when they are not being adhered to or policed on a regular basis?
”As I have been told by residents these individuals can be seen drinking as early as 11am this does not show Perth in a good light when people wish to visit and pay their respects at the war memorials.”
She continued: ”I would urge anybody who does witness this type of behaviour to contact Tayside Police as soon as possible.
”I will be asking Superintendent Leslie to try and make sure that the Inch is proactively patrolled and not just after an incident has been reported.
”However, this is only a short-term solution to what is a big concern throughout Perth it will only move the problem on to the next place to be dealt with.
”We have to find a way to get to the root of this problem which has to involve all agencies getting together and confronting the issues regarding drinking and taking action now.”
A spokesman reiterated Tayside Police’s commitment to stamping out the problem.
”Tayside Police is aware of continuing issues of alcohol-related, anti-social behaviour at the North Inch in Perth,” the spokesman said.
”We continue to give the area attention and will take appropriate action in relation to those involved as we are aware of the upset this issue causes and will not tolerate such alcohol-fuelled, anti-social behaviour.
”As we have stated before, residents in the area and the many people who make best use of the North Inch have a right to go about their business without the threat, fear, or disruption of the drunken behaviour of others.
”We would ask people not to tolerate such behaviour when it happens but to contact us immediately on 0300 111 2222, or speak to a local officer.”
City centre councillor Heather Stewart has joined the fight to make the North Inch a safe place to visit for all the family.
The Conservative representative, whose ward includes the park, has set up an urgent meeting with the area’s police chief.
She told The Courier she hopes to impress upon Superintendent Jim Leslie the frustrations felt in the community.
Despite being a specified no-alcohol zone, groups regularly gather to drink on benches near the war memorial as early as 11am and can be heard shouting and swearing at passers-by.
The issue was highlighted in The Courier in May after a concerned parent got in touch to say he was increasingly scared to let his primary school-age children leave his side at the tourist spot.
The father-of-two, who asked not to be named, detailed a number of unpleasant incidents, including a drunken man defecating in the River Tay in broad daylight.
At the time, police confirmed patrols in the area had been stepped up to catch anyone flouting the bylaw and that alcohol-fuelled, anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated.
But two months on, local people have spoken out to say the problem has not been resolved.
Homeowners claim calls to report incidents are being repeatedly ignored by the force.
Tony Jenkins (34), who stays on nearby Barossa Place, said: ”I run around the Inch regularly and I don’t think the problem has got any better.
”I take my wee nephews down to the play park a lot at the weekends but I never walk them past the war memorial I would be constantly looking around and worrying.”
He continued: ”They aren’t youngsters and I guess the problem is: where do police move them on to? Just sending them away clearly isn’t working.”
Continued…