THE TINY grey village of Glenochil in Clackmannanshire is silent and calm, save for very occasional traffic.
But when it comes to the subject of sex offenders from Peterhead being relocated to the local prison, private thoughts are ear-splittingly loud.
"The beasties shouldn't be here," said one retired prison officer, outside his home in the 100-house estate which forms the village near Tullibody. "Yes, they're beasties. That's what we call them because 'paedophiles' is too polite a word for them. And in my opinion they should have kept them in Peterhead because what community wants them?
"As far as relocating all of them here in Glenochill, I've got 30 years' experience behind me and believe me there will be problems in the prison should they be mixed in with the non-beasties."
The arrival of the sex offenders is clearly a major talking point in the area.
"I don't want to be named, because my wife works at the prison," said one middle-aged man, "but I don't see why they've been moved here."
In nearby Alva, local barmaid Jeannie Smith said: "My feeling is, send them back to Peterhead. I'd be terrified if these men decide to remain in the area after release."
Most locals quizzed were willing to share their thoughts, but not their identity.
"We all work at the prison or have a relative who works there," said one Glenochil man. "This is a tiny community and we don't want to risk someone losing their job."
One elderly man said: "I've heard they're moaning about not having access to the prison library? These are the sort of men who committed the most horrible acts, yet they want the right to read books. It's shameful."
One young local contractor, however, was more circumspect. "My girlfriend works at Glenochil but I don't mind telling you what I think. And my feeling, is even though these sex offenders are a few yards away, it doesn't bother me. Just so long as they're under lock and key, what difference does it make?"
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