Residents have raised concerns over “shocking” anti-social behaviour at a popular tourist spot.

Around 50 youngsters flocked to Balloch Park last week to take advantage of the good weather.

But residents say they are forced to “avoid the park like the plague” due to drunken visitors’ “intimidating” behaviour.

It comes after police issued a warning to visitors after a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents, specifically in Balloch Park.

Ann West, who visited the park last week, said: “There were hoards of drunk young folk milling around the cafe area and children’s play area.

“It was really intimidating because they had obviously had a lot to drink. You couldn’t get past them without going through the middle of the group.”

She continued: “I grew up in that area and I don’t recall seeing it like that.

"The area looked like a landfill with all the rubbish and bottles.

“It seems to be every summer that this happens.”

Ms West said the incident made her reluctant to return to the popular tourist spot.

She added: “People don’t even want to go into Balloch Park anymore, which is a real shame.

“I wouldn’t go back while the weather encourages such gatherings.

“The park is for everybody, including young people, but not when it is used like it has been recently.

"I found it really depressing to see.”

Nearby residents took to social media to express their concerns over the behaviour.

One commented: “We avoid the park like the plague in the summer and we live a two-minute walk away.

“It’s disgusting how they have no respect for anyone or anything, and it’s not just the kids, although clearly it was in this case.”

Another said: “It’s not our village any more, not since Covid-19.

"Every moron in Greater Glasgow has flocked here since the first lockdown.

“They get to use our village and our park and trash them and make them feel unsafe while we all avoid the place.

"It’s disgraceful.”

Another social media user added: “When you set the place up to attract tourists it’s going to come with the territory.

“There has always been periodic fights between gangs and louts.

"It’s the loutish behaviour that needs policed when numbers get rowdy.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division’s ‘Safe Summer Plan’ was developed in partnership with the British Transport Police, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute councils.

“We continue to work together to allocate resources, where possible and balanced against other demands, to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide a visible presence in Balloch Park and other key areas.”