CCTV cameras are being installed in a bid to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour which has blighted part of Wick riverside.
Highland Council has regularly had to bear the cost of damage done to public toilets, a bus shelter and amenities along the popular path up the river.
The security measure is part of a new £120,000 package on top of the work going on to improve the Riverside car park.
Local councillor Raymond Bremner said: “It’s getting ridiculous how much money we’re spending on clearing up after the vandals.
“The public are sick of it – we are getting complaints the whole time about the damage and nuisance being caused by groups of young people.”
As well as targeting the public loos at Whitechapel Road and the nearby bus shelter, the Riverside play park has been regularly targeted.
Mr Bremner said there are also fears the removal of the traffic islands as part of the car park revamp will lead to a return of boy racers.
The camera footage will be fed back to the town’s police station where officers can monitor and act on any suspicious activity.
It has also been agreed to install nine bays with charging points for electric vehicles and a cycle shelter and to renovate the rundown bus shelter.
This is going ahead after the council funding was topped up by contributions from the Highland transport partnership HiTrans and the Scottish Government.