A Dalgety Bay takeaway has hit out at false information spread by a Fife Facebook page.
A post shared by the Fife Jammer Locations page on Wednesday shared an image of police at Spice of India on Moray Way North.
It claimed “immigration officers and police” were visiting the takeaway and speaking to staff.
The takeaway’s owner then took to social media to hit back at the claim, saying it was “false and misleading”.
The owner said police had attended due to a “utility issue” and the suspected theft of oil from behind the business.
The Courier has verified this with Police Scotland, with a spokesperson confirming officers attended the takeaway to provide advice on a civil matter on Wednesday.
There was no criminality, and it was not connected to the Home Office or immigration enforcement.
The police spokesperson said: “Around 11.40am on Wednesday, officers attended a premises in Moray Way North, Dalgety Bay.
“Suitable advice was given and no further police action was necessary.”
A post on the Spice of India Facebook page said: “It’s disappointing to see the spread of false and misleading information on public forums such as the Fife Jammer page.”
The post said the operator of the page was using the platform to “spread the fake news without authenticating the news”.
It continued: “Our business, Spice of India Dalgety Bay, has proudly served the local community for over 28 years and has always maintained transparency, professionalism, and integrity.
“Recent rumours and images circulated regarding our premises were based on incorrect assumptions.
Spice of India says comments on Facebook post were ‘spreading hate’
“Contrary to the claims made online, the police presence was related to a utility issue and a suspected oil theft taking place behind the premises, not immigration enforcement or any other criminal activity involving our staff or business.”
The takeaway also hit out at comments left on the post, which, at the time of publishing, remains on the Fife Jammer Locations Facebook page.
It claimed those leaving comments had made jokes “spreading hate about people’s background, race, or livelihoods” and branded it “damaging to the values of our community”.
The post added: “We urge everyone to verify facts before engaging with or sharing content online.”
The owner of the takeaway, who did not want to be named, told The Courier: “It’s not about me, it’s about all of our safety and respect.
“If a group cannot maintain respectful relationships in society, the Facebook group must not exist as it is providing a platform to the wrong people who are making fun of people from different cultures.”
Post falsely claimed immigration officers were at Dalgety Bay takeaway
Fife Jammer Locations has a following of nearly 220,000 users.
The page, which is run anonymously, reposts information and images submitted by its followers about incidents and events in Fife.
An automatic response to messages says: “If you send pictures we may watermark them, and pass to media. No names will be mentioned.”
The caption alongside the image of police at Spice of India, posted on the page, said: “Immigration officers and police standing speaking to men who work in the Indian takeaway.
“Thought Dalgety Bay was a posh, quiet town.”
More than 90 comments were left below the post, including several criticising immigration rules.
After the takeaway spoke out, many locals leapt to its defence and hit out at the actions of the page.
Councillor David Barratt, whose ward covers Dalgety Bay, also praised the takeaway’s owner for speaking out.
He said: “You (the poster) might call it banter but it was an attack on our community.”
The Courier contacted Fife Jammer Locations for comment but the page did not respond.
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