‘MISERY-CAUSING’ vandals in Peebles have infuriated householders after milk and eggs were used to leave a trail of destruction across the town.

Residents have had a rude awakening in recent days after the products were taken from doorsteps and used to vandalise the streets.

Locals who use services to have their milk delivered in the mornings say they have been forced to cancel their orders as a result of this behaviour.

Anti-social issues have troubled Peebles for some time, with community leaders discussing potential ways to combat the problem on a monthly basis.

As previously reported recently, glass has been found around the town, and in some cases has been embedded into grass – posing a potential danger to people and animals.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s pretty depressing that this stuff is happening.”

She added: “Stealing milk is not the crime of the century, but it is part of a wider pattern of anti-social behaviour.”

Another resident said she had seven bottles of milk taken from her doorstep on Monday.

She said: “We had seven bottles taken in the early hours of Monday morning, [it is] beyond me why they are out at the time but that’s a different grumble.

“I have only managed to retrieve four empty bottles found floating in the fountain at Eastgate where they poured the milk. The fountain was white foam.

“It’s not only up to police to manage but parents need to do more to ensure their little darlings are not wandering around the town doing whatever the hell they like without consequence.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said that enquiries are ongoing into reports of stolen milk.

Inspector Robbie Noble said: “We are aware of concerns about anti-social behaviour in Peebles. This kind of behaviour causes misery in the community and it will not be tolerated.

“Tackling it is a priority and we are working with partner agencies to address the issues. In addition, officers on patrol regularly check areas where these kind of incidents are happening.

“We also need the help of the community and I would urge anyone with concerns or who want to report issues, to do so via 101.”

A retired Peebles man told us he cleared up broken glass in the town on Tuesday morning.

He said: “Yesterday morning at 7.15am there were broken milk bottles scattered all over the road in March Street at the junction with Montgomery Place.

“I personally swept it up the best I could and I think the council came on the scene not long afterwards.

“The glass was right on a junction therefore it would have been difficult for road users to avoid.

“However, a couple of weeks ago my neighbour was remarking on the amount of glass and spilt milk that was lying about in the early morning towards the bottom of March Street.”