A “hard line” has been urged over Traveller encampments that have ignored moving-on notices in Angus.
Travellers remain pitched up on the edge of Forfar despite a notice to quit and sustained police interest.
The group has been in place on open ground between Lilybank and Gowanbank for two weeks, angering residents and many people who walk their dogs in the area.
Notices had been served on Thursday, requiring the Travellers to move on by noon the following day but this has been ignored, with even more vehicles moving in.
Around 17 caravans and vehicles were on the land yesterday and the local authority has been asked to take a tough stance on the unauthorised encampment due to complaints that have flooded in.
Community council chairwoman Isobel Ross said residents have come to her with reports of stones being thrown into gardens, fences being urinated on, dogs running on surrounding streets and constant police visits.
“I support the council and the police in taking a hard line with these people,” she said.
“I’ve received so many complaints about this, not just from people who live in the Montrose Road area, but from people visiting, and from around Forfar.
“They think it’s an absolute disgrace and this problem exists all over, not just in Forfar.
“Montrose, Kirriemuir, at the Glamis roundabout where will it stop? There is a perfectly good site in Montrose at Tayock Bridge that’s been set aside for Travellers. Why can’t they use that?”
The Montrose Road group originally gained access via the children’s playpark at Lilybank.The council has since put a boulder in that area but opened the barrier at the Montrose Road entrance.
This was for legal reasons, as the encampment must be left an exit. It is understood the council is considering its options after the snub.
The local authority is also keeping a watching brief on a Traveller group that remains pitched up adjacent to the A90 Forfar bypass, beside the A94 roundabout.
Montrose has also experienced a recent influx on the town links.
Town councillor David May has said he is concerned by the apparent shift in police policy since the inception of the single force, which means police will monitor encampments and not become directly involved unless they are called in to deal with criminal matters.