MINDLESS vandals wreaked havoc in Peebles last weekend prompting a fresh investigation by police.

The School Brae and public toilets have yet again been targeted.

It is claimed that the perpetrators destroyed toilet seats, flower pots, smashed bottles, and desecrated a nearby secluded area with cans and litter.

Fears have also been raised that the people responsible for the destruction are not local - and gangs of youths are travelling from other towns creating mayhem.

A warning was put on social media for pedestrians and dog walkers to be vigilant.

Stephen Mathison, who owns Off the Back Barbers situated on the School Brae, told us: “Like the other business owners and residents on School Brae and Newby Court, I am sick of the constant disruption and vandalism caused by some of the youngsters who gather here most weekends.

“They do not appear to have any respect for anybody or property.

"It’s a pity that they cannot enjoy themselves without the need to create mayhem.”

The topic of engaging with youths to try and combat the School Brae vandalism was discussed by community leaders the night before the hooligans struck.

At the town’s Community Council last Thursday, Tweeddale Councillor Robin Tatler said that he and Councillor Heather Anderson had met with Peebles youth worker Dave Hodson, and members of the Community Action Team to discuss the issues at School Brae and Tweed Green.

He said: “You’ll notice now that there’s a mobile CCTV unit there.

"We also agreed that we would ask Borders Buses to help us as well because there is evidence that these young people are not just from Peebles, they are actually coming into the town from other places.

“The youth club is absolutely trying to engage with these young people and is having exactly the same problems as anyone else who tries to engage and are getting nowhere.”

Chairman Lawrie Hayworth added: “The young people that use the youth club are genuinely not the young people that are the source of the problem.

"What was a real concern at that meeting is that there are groups of people coming by bus and gathering in a specific town each weekend.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Peebles are investigating following vandalism which occurred in the School Brae area overnight between Friday and Saturday.

"Inquiries to identify those responsible are ongoing.”