Police are hunting a gang of teenage youths responsible for an early morning window-smashing attack on a house in Kirriemuir.
The weekend incident is the latest in a series of incidents in the Angus town involving unruly youngsters which have led to renewed calls for local parents to take responsibility for where their children are and what they are getting up to.
Police Scotland said the window of a house in the town’s Prosen Road was smashed just after 6am on Saturday.
A spokesman said: “A group of five male youths, all aged around 15 to 17 years old, were seen to smash a window of one of the houses in the street.
“There is a possibility that they may have carried out other vandalisms or anti-social acts in the area around that time which he have not yet been informed of.
“Four of them were wearing dark clothing, and the fifth had a white jacket,” the spokesman said.
“If you have any information which could assist our enquiries, please call 101 or speak with any police officer.
“Also, information can be given anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 55 111. Our reference is CR/6948/18.”
Previous incidents have included vandalism at Kirrie Hill, damage to the town’s defibrillator and an incident in which a car was damaged after youngsters threw a large branch across a busy town street.
Kirriemuir Conservative councillor and Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor said he was saddened by the latest incident and concerns it could spread fear for those living locally.
“My stand on vandalism remains firm that it is completely unnecessary and unwelcome in any of our local communities,” he said.
“It causes not only harm to the people that it is being perpetrated against, but a sense of unease in streets and localities where this sort of thing is happening.”
“I would urge anyone who sees anything suspicious of this nature to report it immediately, but I would also repeat what I have previously said in that parents must ultimately take responsibility for knowing where their children are and what they are up to.”
Mr Proctor added: “This week I was at a fantastic Angus Music Fest event in Arbroath which only served to reinforce my view that 99% of the young people in Angus are good, hard-working kids who are a credit to their families, their schools and their communities.
“But is is so sad when very small numbers are damaging that view with this sort of mindless activity.”
