PEEBLESSHIRE councillors have expressed their disgust after a car was left abandoned and damaged at a popular Peebles vantage point last weekend.

The Sware road and car park have become a hotbed for anti-social behaviour in recent years.

And on Monday dog walkers discovered a smashed up car dumped at the viewpoint overlooking the Manor Valley. 

Local councillor Stuart Bell told the Peeblesshire News: “I was disgusted to hear of this ugly intrusion into a beautiful location. 

“We need to hear from the Police how the car came to be left there - it may be the unfortunate consequences of a theft. But if it was abandoned I am sure this will be followed up with the owner.

“My deep disappointment is that those who have vandalised the car for their transient pleasure clearly don’t understand that they have despoiled a lovely location.

“I have raised with council staff the urgency of clearing up the mess.”

The dumped Ford Fiesta has all windows smashed and the exhaust ripped off and dumped inside the vehicle. 

Fellow councillor Catriona Bhatia hopes officers will trace whoever is responsible.

She said: “Hopefully the Police will look into the circumstances around this incident which really despoils such a beautiful area.

“Previous incidents of anti-social behaviour have resulted in perpetrators being detected and charged.”

Councillor Graham Garvie told us: “ This wreck must be removed from this beautiful viewpoint for as soon as possible. I have today asked the Council's Environmental Department to initiate the procedure to do that.”

Police have been attempting to trace the owner of the vehicle since reports were first made at the start of the week.

A spokesperson from Police Scotland told us: “We received reports of a damaged Ford Fiesta at Sware Car Park in the Edderston Cottages area of Peebles on Monday,.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing to trace the owner and establish the full circumstances surrounding this. Anyone with information which may be able to help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

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