Keith residents have slammed Moray Council for allowing an abandoned travellers encampment to become a vandalism hotspot.
Late last year, the local authority evicted the McPhee traveller family from a site they had occupied at Cottage Woods for 14 years.
The council said the former rubbish dump was “highly toxic” and it would have been failing in its duty of care towards the clan if it had allowed them to remain.
The grounds, just outside Keith, were cleared, following a tense stand-off between the council and the family at the end of October.
However, increasingly exasperated Keith locals have claimed that the space has now become a frequent meeting place for “yobs”, intent on causing devastation.
Caravans, horse boxes and other debris left behind by the McPhees have been torn apart by vandals, leaving the popular dog-walking spot covered in broken glass.
The trouble intensified during the week, when a caravan abandoned at the site was set alight.
Police said the incident occurred on Wednesday evening – just a few weeks after residents had implored Moray Council to clear the land.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I walk my dog there and came across some young lads vandalising the caravan, but I wasn’t prepared to tackle them on my own.
“I’ve been absolutely disgusted at the state of the picnic area since the travellers were removed. It was tidier before they were evicted.
“Moray Council should have cleared it before this happened, it’s now a danger to animals and walkers.”
The authority responded that efforts to clear the land were in progress, but special care was required due to contamination.
A spokesman said: “A clear-up of this site is currently being arranged with a private specialist contractor.
“Cottage Wood is a contaminated site and therefore any work to remove items safely has to be carefully organised.
“The scope of works and the health and safety considerations are currently being worked through and it is hoped that work will commence onsite within the next 10 working days.”
Police say the fire took place between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday, and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.