Community leaders have vowed to do more to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Kirkton area of Dundee – after one resident likened it to living in The Purge.
A series of incidents in recent weeks has led to the comparison with the 2013 American film, in which all crime becomes legal for a 12-hour period.
Locals claim problems have escalated over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period, with one mum saying she is now afraid to let her children out the house.
One resident, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told us: “The only reference that I can think of to use is the movie The Purge.
“There seem to be no laws in place most of the time.
“Kirkton had a bad name, but in the last decade things have improved greatly, for the most part.
“However, in recent weeks, mainly at Halloween as well as Bonfire Night, things have become ridiculously bad.”
Kirkton plagued by anti-social behaviour
Residents claim that incidents in recent weeks have included:
- Fires being lit on roads, diverting cars down another road that was littered with broken glass
- Teens stealing bins from gardens to set them on fire
- Cars having fireworks thrown at them on Balgowan Avenue
- A playpark next to Downfield police station being set on fire
- Fireworks being thrown at houses, cars, police vans and a group of Halloween guisers
- Firefighters being attacked while attending a huge bonfire on Beauly Avenue
- Motorbikes being driven dangerously on roads, pavements and grassy areas
Another resident says people are “sick and tired” of the actions of some groups.
The mum of three school-aged children said: “It’s got to the stage you are scared to let your kids out.
“You’re terrified what might happen to them or, worse still, what they might get involved in.
“There seems to be a core group of teenagers who delight in making life difficult for all the rest of us and it’s time it stopped.
“What we witnessed on Bonfire Night was nothing short of disgusting.
“My kids had wanted to go out guising – they were back within half an hour because of some of the behaviour they were seeing. That’s just not right.”
Meanwhile the illegal use of off-road motorbikes and scooters in Kirkton has been a long-standing problem – but locals say incidents have escalated recently.
One resident said: “These teenagers on bikes are a complete nuisance. I was walking along the pavement the last day when one came up behind me with its engine roaring.
“I got such a fright. It’s only a matter of time before someone is injured.”
What is being done to tackle the issues?
John Alexander, who represents the area as a councillor and is also the leader of Dundee City Council, admits “there are some really difficult issues in the area right now”.
He said: “I have seen some of these first-hand.
“It’s the area I grew up in and where much of my family still live, and there are some amazing and passionate people in Kirkton.
I’ll be speaking with colleagues and Police Scotland on what can and should be done to kick this into touch
Councillor John Alexander
“It’s a shame that a few people are creating fear in the community.”
Mr Alexander says police have been working to identify those causing problems and gather the evidence required to prosecute them.
He continued: “I know that they’ve recently taken four motorbikes off the road.
“The problem is, just as quickly as they are removed, it seems like they are replaced by another.”
He added: “People shouldn’t have to live in fear or alarm in their own community.
“It’s appalling that a minority are having this kind of impact on residents in the area.
I’ll be speaking with colleagues and Police Scotland on what can and should be done to kick this into touch.”
Mr Alexander’s fellow ward councillor Kevin Keenan – who leads the Labour group at Dundee City Council – says he has also been concerned about recent events.
He said: “It’s not good to hear this account of things in Kirkton over Halloween and on Bonfire Night.
“For someone to feel it’s like the movie The Purge is horrendous. This description mirrors their wording of the events.
“It sounds completely lawless, which is unacceptable – everyone deserves a quiet life without fear.
“I will raise the matter with the police to see if their intelligence gives a similar account of events.
“I will also be talking with the council’s community safety team and be looking for them to deploy the wardens to help bring stability.”
Police working to identify Bonfire Night yobs
Inspector Peter McLennan, from Police Scotland, says he is aware of concerns raised about disorder in recent weeks.
He insists that “disruption and damage” in Kirkton was “limited” and that the force has not received reports of any injuries or significant damage being caused.
He continued: “A number of youths did throw stones and fireworks towards a fire appliance on November 5 on Beauly Avenue, but fortunately no one was injured and no damage was caused.
“This type of behaviour is particularly poor and officers are conducting inquiries with a view to identifying those responsible.”
Officers… have identified an individual who is believed to have promoted disorder via social media
Inspector Peter McLennan
Addressing the ongoing issues with motorbikes, Insp McLennan added: “Officers have also investigated the events of October 31 and identified an individual who is believed to have promoted disorder via social media.
“This 17-year-old male will be reported in connection with a number of disorder offences, along with road traffic offences following the alleged illegal use of a quad bike during the evening.
“The public can assist us any time by reporting criminality to us as soon as possible so that we can investigate and take appropriate action as swiftly as possible.
“This should be reported via 101 or, when a crime is in progress, or it is an emergency, always dial 999.”
