Police are leading a crackdown of anti-social behaviour in and around Loch Lomond as a new safety campaign is launched. 

The initiative will tackle littering, drinking alcohol in public places and reckless behaviour while also focusing on water safety following four tragic deaths last summer. 

Police officers in West Dunbartonshire will be working with staff from Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, West Dunbartonshire Council, SFRS and transport providers, to allocate and distribute resources to increase presence in key areas.

Inspector Morven Sutherland said: “We know that Loch Lomond is a major attraction along with other beauty spots and open spaces such as Balloch Park, all of which are especially popular with families and young people.

“We want all visitors to the area and locals to enjoy being outdoors and to be safe doing so. This means making sure you aware of safety around water, taking home litter, parking considerately and being respectful to others.

“In good weather we see a number of young adults and teenagers in particular, coming to the area to spend the day drinking, and I want them to be aware that byelaws prevent the consumption of alcohol in public places.

“In addition, drinking near water can lead to reckless behaviour which in turn can lead to people ending up in the water, being injured and even dying as a result.

“Everyone in the community can help and I am also asking parents and guardians to help us by speaking to young people and encouraging them to behave responsibly.”

Last summer four people tragically lost their lives whilst swimming in the waters of Loch Lomond.

Connor Markward, 16, drowned in the loch near Balloch Country Park on July 23.

And the next day, Edina Olahova, 29, her son Rana Haris Ali, nine, and their friend Muhammad Asim Riaz, 41, lost their lives after getting into difficulty near Pulpit Rock.

The two incidents led to the weekend being described as “one of the worst in the national park’s history”.

Kenny Auld, head of visitor Services at Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “Our rangers will be providing advice and information to visitors while byelaws cover camping and fire lighting at many popular shore sites.

"A responsible visit starts before you even leave home by making sure you plan ahead on where to camp or park, read water safety advice and arrive prepared to take your litter home.”

Inspector Alasdair McWhirter of British Transport Police said: “We have been increasing patrols on key routes using targeted operations to deter offending.

"During the Easter break there will be increased high visibility patrols on stations and in trains. We will take action to ensure the railway is a safe place for everyone using it.

Area Commander Joe McKay, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Senior Officer for Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire, said: “Safety is our top priority and we are asking the public to be aware of the dangers around water and the potential for wildfires which can start unintentionally, as well as incidents of deliberate fire setting."

Earlier this week we shared how firefighters were called to a fire at Kilpatrick Hills and were in attendance for four hours.

Inspector Sutherland added: “We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and anyone involved in criminality will be robustly dealt with.

"Anyone with concerns should speak to any police officer or report this via 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.”