Travellers have been slammed after bags of excrement were dumped in a Dundee play park.
Politicians and local residents hit out after the “vile” bags were piled up in the play area at Mill O’ Mains.
The rubbish had to be removed by a specialist cleaning team, funded by tax payers, and the park is undergoing cleaning to make it safe for children again.
The illicit Traveller encampment at the park was at the top of the agenda for this week’s meeting of the Mill o’ Mains Tenants and Residents Association.
The group always meets at the park pavilion and this time police officers, councillors and council officials were also in attendance.
Jim Malone of the association accused the authorities of only “paying lip-service to taxpayers” and the group resolved to take their fight for greater protection for residents to the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Malone said: “Our local park has been completely occupied by a group of Travellers.These unwelcome visitors have denied the local community the use of council facilities.
“They have fly tipped, abused locals and in our opinion made a mockery of Dundee City Council’s efforts toprotect the local community.”
Council housing convener JohnAlexander said he was “gobsmacked” by the Travellers’ reported behaviour.
He pledged to raise concerns with police chiefs. Mr Alexander also called for “equality in its truest form”.
He said: “There is absolutely no excuse for human excrement beinganywhere other than the toilet.
“It’s vile and disgusting. Our rapid response team should not have to deal with that. This issue is costing tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money.
“How this group think they can get away with it is incomprehensible.”
Meanwhile, Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison said: “Some ofthe behaviours reported here arecompletely unacceptable.
“They will also no doubt be condemned by other law-abiding travelling communities as it damages the reputation of the travelling community as a whole and more importantly relationships with local residents.”
A police spokesman said: “PoliceScotland attended a meeting held by the Mill o’ Mains Tenants and Residents Association where the local community officer provided updates in relation to community engagement in the area and discussed local matters with residents.
“Police Scotland is working closely with the local authority, partner agencies, the travelling community and the residents of Mill o’ Mains to provide support and assistance as appropriate.”