The Three Streets Association represents West Smieton Street, McLaggan Road and Thompson Avenue, and so stressful is the present situation that one person broke down in tears as she explained the intimidation levels she felt from certain individuals in the area.

PC Mark Callison assured her that police would attend disturbances as there is a 24-hour presence in the town. Residents said that they would prefer regular patrols.

PC Callison said there had been only a small number of calls to police regarding issues in West Smieton Street over the past month, but residents disputed this, and said they had called on a number of occasions which equated to more than the Tayside Police control room figures.

He stressed that all calls are treated confidentially, and people could call Crimestoppers which is completely anonymous.

Angus Council community participation officer Deirdre Mitchell brought a letter to Association chairman Susan Dunn from June McLelland, community housing team manager, detailing the complaints that were followed up from the last residents' meeting in March, and the action being taken.

Susan told the Guide & Gazette: "I was handed this letter by Angus Council tonight. I had no time to digest the information - this has been written at the 11th hour as the letter is dated today, just in time for our meeting tonight - this is just another pointer to how uninterested the council is with our issues."

A member of the committee said he found it ironic that when a housing officer visited a resident in West Smieton Street this week, they were accompanied by a police escort.

Ms Mitchell stressed how important it was that people continued to register all valid complaints about issues in the street with the accessline and continue to keep diary sheets which had been supplied to them by Angus Council to record all incidents.

Susan told the meeting that she had been informed that all the diaries handed into the council to date had been lost by Angus Council.

The Guide & Gazette contacted Angus Council for a comment on the issues raised by the residents' association. A spokesperson said: "The council takes complaints of anti-social behaviour very seriously and works hard with local people to maintain and improve communities.

"In the case of the 'Three Streets' area in Carnoustie, several council officers attended a meeting with residents in March, to discuss ways to tackle anti-social behaviour amongst a small minority of residents. Following this, council officers visited 14 residents who had attended the meeting to hear of their specific complaints. All complainers have since had notification from the council as to who is dealing with their complaints.

"Diary sheets kept by a number of residents in the area detailing incidents of anti-social behaviour last year are being traced and located by council officers.

The next meeting of the association is set for Tuesday, May 20, when the Association hopes that more high-powered officials from Angus Council can attend.

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