‘Yobs are making my life hell’ says Inverness farmer after reports of antisocial behaviour
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Police have vowed to increase patrols after reports of antisocial behaviour at a farm on the outskirts of Inverness.
Problems with large gatherings of young people, litter and dog walkers have been building since the start of lockdown for Carol Munro of Ashton Farm.
She reached the end of her tether due to people swearing and shouting at her after she had politely asked them to put their dog on a lead or clean up after themselves.
She said: “Although ours is a private road, it is just off the A96 and near the Tesco Exttra and is on the core path to Resaurie. Some days there are 30 people flocked around our house because they are using it as a short cut.
“What has brought it to a head was a boy on a motorbike just driving about in the fields where we have crops and fields where we keep livestock.
“It is a really busy stretch. People wander up and down, and the majority of people are respectful of the land and are kind, but there is a small minority that are out of control.
“The other day I was going down onto the field to feed the livestock when I saw a man sitting in the field. He asked me to give him some privacy. He was actually defecating.
“Needless to say, I didn’t give him privacy. And it is not the first time. People use a face mask to wipe up and then throw that away as well. I have reported my concerns to the police, as I think there are people who are using illegal drugs on the land and when they have a party they seem to think it is OK to go to the toilet. It is not OK.”
Mrs Munro said that in spite of her paying for signs to remind people, the antisocial behaviour had continued.
She said: “Last week a man was walking his two labradors and I asked him to put them on a lead. He shouted and swore at me, and called me abusive names.”
She continued: “It is hellish, you can’t work on your own land without being sworn at.
“The council and police need to do something. There are a few nice folk who have been coming out with black bags and helping to pick up rubbish.”
Councillors Isabelle Mackenzie and Duncan Macpherson have joined forces to try and support Mrs Munro.
Cllr Mackenzie said: “What is most shocking is the antisocial behaviour. No one should have to come across human excrement with discarded face masks used to clean themselves. Why should Mr and Mrs Munro have to face these horrendous actions by other human beings?”
Cllr Macpherson said: “I was very concerned to hear of her concerns and the recent instances of antisocial behaviour and unsavoury events that she’s witnessed. I have enlisted the support of the council’s officers and I’ve spoken to police.
“The misbehaviour of a few people shouldn’t disrupt the everyday hard work of a farm, or spoil the enjoyment of a healthy country walk for all the other decent and law-abiding citizens from the surrounding area,” he added.
Inspector Alastair Garrow said: “We’ve been made aware of a number of concerns about antisocial behaviour close to Ashton Farm.
“Our cycle officers will be making more patrols in this area and would ask that anyone using the path, which runs through farmland, to respect the countryside code.
“Dogs should be under close control near to farmland and littering is simply unacceptable where animals could unwittingly ingest something harmful.”
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