A recent meeting of Dumbarton East and Central Community Council (DECCC) heard insults were hurled at the group as they tried to scale the Rock.

A second camp was set up near to Dumbarton Football Club’s Strathclyde Homes Stadium, with numbers there increasing to around 20 caravans.

The football club had stepped up security at the ground after reports of vandalism and abuse to staff.

Rose Harvie, secretary of Silverton and Overtoun Community Council, who was at the meeting, said another large group of travellers had set up camp on the pathway leading to the Dumbarton Castle.

She said: “As far as I know travelling kids have been throwing stuff and shooting at swans. Climbers are getting abuse now as well.” Sergeant David MacKinnon, of Dumbarton Police, told DECCC last Tuesday that some of the travellers had indicated they would be leaving the football club’s grounds during that day, with the rest due to vacate “in a couple of days”.

Concerns surrounding the mess left behind by travellers were raised, with Sergeant MacKinnon admitting it can be a problem – although he stressed it can be treated as flytipping.

He said: “It is hard to attribute the waste to any individual. It is clear it is coming from the travellers, but we have to see them in the act and no one tends to come forward as witnesses to the act.” Inspecter Coleen Wylie confirmed yesterday (Monday) that the travellers at the football club have now moved on.

She added: “In relation to Havoc, locals officers are patrolling the area and should any members of the public have any concerns they should contact police on 101 or contact Dumbarton Community Policing team by calling this number or emailing dumbartoncommunitypolicingteam@scotland.pnn.police.uk.”