Bag scratchers keep at it

One man's trash might be another man's treasure, but the residents in the eastern suburbs of George say ongoing problems with bag scratchers have reached an unsustainable level.

- Kristy Kolberg

They insist that months of complaints about litter, noise, trespassing and early-morning gatherings have fallen on deaf ears. This when as many as 75 bag scratchers move through certain streets before sunrise on refuse collection days, which fall on Fridays for this neighbourhood.

Torn refuse bags, scattered litter, trespassing and theft of items such as lights and gate motors have become frequent frustrations for the homeowners. One such resident told George Herald how she was 'held hostage' in her home one morning while several unsavoury characters picked through her rubbish bags and made themselves at home in her driveway. She said when she asked them to leave, they began shouting at her, forcing her to stay inside until they moved on.