Handful of 'thugs' making life misery for some in Easter Ross town of Tain
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"Young thugs" who have terrorised an Easter Ross town must be managed by their parents.
Councillor Alasdair Rhind made his remarks in the wake of fears flagged over the behaviour of a small minority of young people in Tain.
It followed an appeal from the grand-daughter of a Tain pensioner who was left feeling isolated and terrified after being targeted by youths.
In a heart-felt plea, Mhairi Ross (26), from Invergordon, said: "My granny is having a terrible time in Tain and feeling very isolated after all that has gone on this year.
"Young people are hanging about outside her home and rattling her windows after her curtains are closed. She doesn't know who it is which makes it all the more frightening for her."
The matter has been reported to police.
She said: "We all need to remember to be kind. I am sure if the young people thought for a minute about how their grandma would feel being inside the house when it feels like there is an attack going on outside, they would stop.
"I believe young people are good on the whole and they would not want to see anyone harmed in this way.But whoever is doing it needs to stop, as people are frightened in their own homes."
Cllr Rhind said the situation in Tain had escalated since lockdown restrictions eased.
He said: "It seems to be be young thugs who are causing distress to young and old people. People have the right to be out on the streets and feel safe. All three ward councillors are very concerned about antisocial behaviour at this time.
"It seems to be a small minority and we are working with the police and other parties to try and bring it to an end. It seems to be four or five teenagers or younger who are wrecking the public toilets and the town's rose garden which all costs money to repair.
"It is the parents' responsibility to make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing. They need to take them under control. This has been going on for a few weeks and they have no right to be terrorising people.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We know that antisocial behaviour has a disruptive effect on local communities and act on any information we receive.Anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour in their area can contact police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 as promptly as possible."
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