There is concern people are being put off going into Perth city centre because of intimidating behaviour by groups under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Cllr Michelle Frampton – who raised the issue with police at a council committee meeting this week – said the groups were gathering outside city centre supermarkets and the lane leading to the Canal Street multi-storey car park at all times of the day.
Police are aware of the issue and a local inspector has said anyone caught committing a crime will be dealt with appropriately.
Almond and Earn councillor Michelle Frampton brought up the growing problem following a presentation by Police Scotland on Perth and Kinross Preventions, Interventions and Partnerships to the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee on Wednesday, October 2.
SNP councillor Michelle Frampton told the committee groups of individuals with drug/alcohol issues “group together on a daily basis at all different times of the day outside Tesco in South Street, the alley leading to Canal St Car Park and outside Sainsbury’s”.
She added: “Many people, especially the elderly think their behaviour is intimidating and putting people off coming into the town centre.
“What is being done to deter this behaviour and gathering of these individuals?”
Police Sergeant Allan Neary said he was aware of the issue and had highlighted it to partners and pledged to raise it with the area commander.
He said: “Absolutely. I share those concerns. I’ve been out speaking to the manager of Tesco a few times in relation to his concerns as well. We do try where possible to ask for patrols and resources to be allocated to the town centre where they’ve got capacity.”
PS Neary said there was also an issue in the retail park.
He added: “I know the retail park has had similar problems with thefts and anti-social behaviour and intimidation where people are feeling they can’t go to the shops or the city centre to do their daily business. I fully appreciate that. It’s something I’m trying to address internally with my management to get resources allocated down here.
“Within our capacity, we are trying our hardest but it’s obviously needing a lot more focus and attention to help the city centre.”
Earlier Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett raised concern about a couple sleeping rough in the doorway of a vacant city centre shop who “have been for about two weeks now causing problems with drinking in public, playing loud music, urinating in public and the response hasn’t managed to tackle this problem”.
The Liberal Democrat councillor added: “A council meeting recently spoke about the importance of acting proactively and preventively to stop major city centre sights becoming active sites of deterioration but it doesn’t seem to be happening in this particular case.”
Following the meeting, Inspector Stephen Gray told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that those committing crimes would be dealt with appropriately.
Inspector Gray said: “We know that tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority for residents of Perth. Reports of anti-social behaviour are always taken seriously.
“Those involved in this type of behaviour should have more respect of the neighbourhoods in which they live.
“We work closely with partners as we are acutely aware of the upset that any form of anti-social behaviour can have within a community.
“We have officers patrolling in the area and anyone caught committing crime will be dealt with appropriately.”