Terrified Dundee residents say they are dreading Bonfire Night after a rioting mob caused chaos in Kirkton on Halloween.
Huge groups set fires across roads, lobbed fireworks at drivers and police and smashed windows at a school on Monday night.
A helicopter and police in riot gear were called in to deal with the disorder – with one officer injured.
It happened while families with young children were walking in the area guising.
Police have refused to comment or speculate on what started the riots.
Now locals – who are fed up of repeated anti-social behaviour – fear worse could be yet to come at the weekend.
Almost all of those who have spoken to The Courier have asked to remain anonymous, for fear of reprisals.
One woman who was driving in the area said: “There were kids everywhere banging on cars, shouting at people and making it really difficult for people to get past.
“I was genuinely terrified. Something has to be done about this before the weekend or I dread to think what will happen.
“Nobody wants scenes like these in Kirkton. This is sheer vandalism, destruction and bad behaviour.
“This needs stopped now.”
One resident living near to where fires were started on Balgowan Avenue said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing.
“It was like looking out on a war scene – there were so many small fires burning and bangs and flashes from fireworks being let off.
“What scares me this was only Monday night. I hate to think what the rest of the week will bring and Saturday night doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Spate of anti-social behaviour problems in Kirkton
Kirkton locals have been subjected to a series of anti-social behaviour problems over the last year.
- In October 2021, police revealed they had identified more than 60 alleged offences connected with the use of off-road motorbikes – many of them in the Kirkton area
- On November 5 last year, residents started a huge bonfire using household goods and other items, leaving significant damage
- Days after the events of Bonfire Night, residents spoke out – comparing it to living in a lawless society like in The Purge
- In June this year, Asda was forced to ban pupils from St Paul’s RC Academy after staff were subjected to abuse and anti-social behaviour
- A house in Kirkton was smashed up by a mob in September as part of protests held across the city – with residents telling of their terror
- Dundee City Council leader John Alexander compared the scenes from Halloween 2022 as being like something from a “war-torn country”.
It is clear from speaking to residents that the incidents have taken their toll.
Masked youths smash up Kirkton shop
One of the targets for the mob on Monday night was the mini market on Beauly Avenue, which had its window smashed.
The owner told The Courier: “I had locked up and put up the shutters for the night and was working in the back when I heard something.
“The next thing the window was smashed in. I ran through to the shop and saw the gang with their green hoodies on, Halloween masks covering their faces.
“It was terrifying. I saw one lad actually try to get into the shop through the smashed window but when he saw me he went out again.”
The owner says he quickly boarded up his window as best he could and left.
He added: “When I went outside there was a whole gang of them, around 15 or 16.
“We came back to the shop first thing [on Tuesday] to begin the clear-up operation.
“It’s a real mess but we really are hoping to be able to open the shop today.”
On several other streets in Kirkton there is evidence of Monday night’s disorder.
Piles of burnt-out rubbish have been left on Beauly Avenue, Gillburn Road and Balgowan Avenue, along with stones and bricks.
There are also tyre tracks on grassy areas after scrambler bikes were used.
Several windows have been repaired after being smashed at St Paul’s RC Academy, while reports suggest at least one car there was vandalised. The school opened as normal on Tuesday.
Ryan Glen had been visiting friends in Kirkton and was just heading home when he got caught up in the incident.
The 34-year-old youth worker said: “I was stopped on Balgowan Avenue because cars in front of me couldn’t get through due to the bonfires at the road.
“I turned around but my car was getting pelted with fireworks.
‘I thought my car was going to blow up’
“It was terrifying. At one point I actually thought my car was going to blow up.
“There was a mob of around 40 to 50 of them and it was just out of control.
“Thank goodness I wasn’t hurt but the damage to my car is significant.”
One Balgowan Avenue resident said: “I have never seen scenes like that I never want to see that in Kirkton again.
“It was terrifying. Local residents were hurrying to try to get home to get away from what was going on.
“However, many were being shouted and jeered at. The gangs were feral, it was so frightening to witness.”
Meanwhile, a resident who lives close to St Paul’s said: “There were dozens of young people running along the street.
“The next think they headed into the school grounds and started throwing stones and fireworks.
“It looked like they were totally out of control and egging each other on.
“Most of the people in the street actually went inside and closed their doors – what we were witnessing was unbelievable and people were terrified they could be targeted.”
Maurice Golden, Scottish Conservative MSP for North East Scotland, fears there could be copycat incidents.
He said: “Other than the time of year, I don’t know why this incident escalated so horrendously.
“I think we need to find that out and put in place measures to stop it from happening again.
“There’s a week ahead and lots of nights including the weekend where this sort of thing could be replicated or mimicked in other communities.”
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