Police will be clamping down on anti-social behaviour at a picturesque Perthshire camping spot this weekend after a previous clean-up operation netted a “staggering” 1.7 tonnes of rubbish.
The operation has been planned following complaints from Dunning Community Council and some residents about what police have called “an emerging” trend of people who visit Dunning Glen and park vehicles in an “inconsiderate” manner at the roadside and leave large amounts of litter behind.
Members of the local community have helped clear up the aftermath and have found mounds of broken glass, refuse and discarded camping equipment left behind.
Inspector Iain Ward, the senior officer for the area, said that, while he wants people to visit and enjoy Dunning Glen, he is urging them to behave themselves.
“Dunning Glen is a lovely area to visit but those who do so must act responsibly whilst respecting others who live there,” he told The Courier.
“This is a real problem. In 2011, a clean-up operation was needed to remove a staggering 1.7 tonnes of rubbish that was unbelievable.
“We had a rough campers’ initiative back then and it has been quite successful. It’s a multi-agency approach and has got landowners involved because the legislation surrounding people going on land is quite loose.
“A lot of hard work went into restoring this area and we want to help keep it that way whilst welcoming responsible campers.”
He continued: “Dunning Glen is quite an obscure area but, for some reason, youths want to go there from the west coast and Central Scotland area, and camp out over the weekend.
“Indiscriminate parking is a big issue on the back roads and litter was a big problem as well.
“Residents and the community council have raised issues with this. It’s a big problem for everyone who lives out there that’s why we’re having this initiative.”