Monday December 1st 2025
Motorhomes Parked at the Common Haugh, Hawick
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Anti-social behaviour in Hawick is to be discussed at a meeting this week but ahead of it a senior councillor has rebuffed claims that the town was turning into the “Wild West”.
Some owners of camper-vans parked in the Common Haugh car park have been targeted by rowdy and egg-throwing troublemakers in recent weeks.
It has led to fears that visitors to the town may be deterred from coming back.
Meanwhile, there have also been reports of young people causing further concerns with threatening behaviour at a town takeaway.
Against that backdrop, Hawick councillors are to meet with the police on Friday to discuss the issues.
While accepting it needed to be addressed, Councillor Watson McAteer, Independent for Hawick & Hermitage and convener of Scottish Borders Council, has urged townsfolk to keep matters in proportion.
He said: “We need to keep this in perspective. There are a small group of people whose behaviour is having an impact on visitors.
“I’ve seen reports on social media describing Hawick as being ‘like the Wild West’ and that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s basically just a small group that needs to be dealt with appropriately but let’s not take things out of proportion.
“We need to get the police, the council and the local community involved to try and get this stopped. We have another meeting with the police of Friday and we are looking at either mobile coverage of CCTV or re-locating a camera to get better coverage at that part of the Haugh.”
Mr McAteer also called on the public’s support, adding: “If they see this type of thing going on, please pass on the information so we can get it stopped.
“In terms of the motorhomes’ owners the majority seem to have been supportive and recognise that Hawick is a great place to visit. It’s free with good facilities and it’s a very popular place to visit and we want to keep it that way.”
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