GROUPS of intoxicated youths gathering in West Linton have driven a resident to ‘snapping point’, a meeting has heard.

A member of the public told the village’s community council that anti-social behaviour was taking place at a bench and near to the tennis club.

He alleged members of the groups – ranging from teenagers to those in their early 30s – were drinking and taking drugs.

Anti-social issues have been frequently discussed in the village for nearly two years, with concerns previously raised over behaviour in the primary school car park at night.

The resident, who preferred not to be named or to give the exact location of the bench, told Monday’s meeting: “I have absolutely no patience left now and one evening I will snap.”

He said he had been sworn at by the youths and told that his windows would be smashed and car damaged.

The resident added: “This anti-social behaviour started last summer and one problem is the bench location.

“All the problems which occurred near the primary school have relocated to this bench in a different part of the village.

“What can we do? We need advice about safe ways to deal with this problem.”

The resident said he had tried to phone Police Scotland on 101 but became frustrated after being on hold for 20 minutes.

An official from West Linton Tennis Club said that it was also a safeguarding issue as the club coached young children.

Tweeddale West councillor Eric Small, who is on the police and council’s Community Action Team board, said he would raise it with police sergeant James Harrison.

In September last year the Peeblesshire News reported trouble at the primary school and Sgt Harrison attended a community council meeting.

At that time Sgt Harrison said: “I am aware that people believe they have been reporting these issues but that those reports are being lost.

“To dedicate resources to an issue there needs to be a report either to 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Without incident numbers it is hard to get an idea of the scale of the problem. Unless we see some doing something there is little we can do about it without an admission or witnesses.”

A further suggestion was that the bench could be moved but that would have to be done by Scottish Borders Council and would risk relocating the problem again.

Community council member Diane Beard said: “I will ask community police officer Viv Carsley to speak at our next meeting.”