One of the national park's patrol boats at work on Loch Lomond

National park rangers who were recently sworn in as special constables took part in a clampdown on unruly behaviour at the weekend.

The staff, from the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs national park, joined other police officers, community wardens and specialist units to cut down on problem behaviour in the area. Police hailed the operation as a success, with eight people reported for drug offences, assault, resisting arrest, breach of the peace and contravention of bylaws.

More than 1,000 vehicles were checked for offences in an attempt to improve road safety and identify what police describe as disruptive elements heading for the park. 137 people were searched and 10 litres of alcohol confiscated.

Traffic patrols were also mounted to check the clearway along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond between Balmaha and Rowardennan, the route of the West Highland Way. Mobile offices were set up at the gateways to the national park in the joint operation between Central Scotland Police and the Tayside force.

Patrols were also mounted on Loch Lomond and Loch Earn to promote water safety and accident and crime prevention.

The Loch Lomond Special Constables

Chief Inspector Kevin Findlater, of Central Scotland Police, said: “On one occasion a 16-year-old girl carrying a nine-year-old boy on a jet-ski was stopped for speeding at Millarochy Bay.

“At one stage the jet-ski was over a kilometre from the beach. The boy was shivering and was wearing football shorts and a thin tee-shirt. The wind chill factor on the jet-ski was close to zero. The young boy was taken to the beach and the person in charge of him was spoken to.

“While it may look like good weather and it is warm on land, the wind chill factor reduces the temperature considerably on the water. It is just good fortune that the young boy was detected when he was or there could have been far more serious consequences.

“In Balloch, a person was charged under Loch Lomond bylaws for failing to carry the appropriate number of life jackets on their boat. Another person was charged with failing to display identification numbers and another person was warned for speeding in a restricted zone.

He continued: “This is a very worthwhile operation. High-profile patrols will be carried out over the coming months in a bid to promote responsible behaviour in the countryside and to deter such antisocial behaviour and criminal offences from being committed.”

Police appealed for anyone seeing any such offences being committed to call the police on 01786 456000. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.