Police are being urged to act after 100-plus “boy racers” were accused of creating early-morning mayhem in a city suburb.
Car enthusiasts from across the north gathered at Inshes Retail Park in Inverness on Saturday evening for an “unofficial meet”.
Ugly tyre marks have been left across roads and car parks, and police yesterday were accused of failing to respond to complaints of antisocial behaviour.
City councillor Ken Gowans claimed a number of residents had been disturbed by the noise of “revving engines and screeching tyres” into the early hours of Sunday.
He said: “Over the last few months I have received a number of complaints about the increasing nuisance and noise caused by groups of “boy racers” revving their engines and screaming off leaving behind tyre marks.
“I have made the police aware of these activities on several occasions and asked them to monitor the area.
“This latest incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, and was attended by over 100 youths, not just a couple mates comparing cars.”
But the councillor claimed the residents were “unimpressed” by the reaction, claiming they felt the “police were less than interested as this was on private ground”.
“This was even though this action was causing a significant nuisance and damage to the road and markings in the retail park,” Mr Gowans said.
“Tyre marks are evident on the road and pavement by Inshes Church, which is particularly worrying.
“If people wish to take part in this sort of thing they should do responsibly and certainly not close to houses.
“I have raised this with the chief inspector given the disappointing response from his officers.”
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is laughable that these youths get away with causing such a disturbance, particularly as it is only yards from the police main headquarters.”
Chief Inspector Colin Gough, the local area commander, said “We take all matters of antisocial behaviour extremely seriously and the car parks at Inshes and Eastfield Retail parks are subjected to anti-crime patrols when police resources are available.
“This kind of antisocial behaviour is unacceptable and irresponsible and causes distress to members of the public.
“We will continue to work with partners including the council, landowners, the business community and road policing colleagues to seek a way forward in tackling this issue.”
