A scheme to keep the city centre safe is failing, according to its members.
A meeting of DUNCAN (Dundee Coordinated Anti-crime Network) provided pubs and clubs with just one image of a troublemaker despite The Courier revealing that Police Scotland cuts had left members of the scheme demanding reforms.
DUNCAN members are supposed to receive a monthly bulletin that includes CCTV stills of known troublemakers.
Earlier this month The Courier revealed Police Scotland had cut the liaison role with the group and that the specialist CCTV suite at Tayside headquarters was regularly left unmanned.
Members of the group had demanded reforms to ensure the scheme ran as effectively as it had at its inception in 2003.
However, one member of the group, Mark Mcfarlane from the Nether Inn, said: “The meeting went as well as we expect these days. Most of the DUNCAN members were there, if not all.
“We are of the same opinion on the lack of cooperation from Police Scotland.
“There was a definite venting of frustration at the way things are being handled.
“We had just one picture at this latest meeting, which makes it much harder to stop troublemakers and get rid of them.”
Mr Mcfarlane added that daytime retailers who are members of the scheme appeared to be receiving a regular amount of intelligence, which focuses on known shoplifters.
City development convener Will Dawson said: “New ways of working for the future to provide better integration of services will be taken forward by the move of DUNCAN to the multi-agency community safety hub in Lochee.
“This brings together expertise from a range of partners involved in community safety across Dundee.
“The report on the community safety hub stressed that the city centre manager will attend regular joint tasking meetings at the hub and that the DUNCAN team will also hot desk in the city centre.
“It is not intended that the reporting relationship changes however the co-location will ensure that community safety issues are considered across the city including the city centre.”
Inspector Kevin McMahon of Police Scotland said: “There have been occasional issues with CCTV coverage due to unforeseen circumstances, but there has always been cover at peak times via the police control room.
“We are working hard to provide consistent coverage and are currently recruiting staff to assist with this and improve our capability.”
Inspector McMahon added: “The long-standing sharing of information between ourselves and DUNCAN has always been very effective, and we are constantly working with Dundee City Council to improve that.
“That has resulted in closer cooperation with DUNCAN to coordinate best practice and working together on any issues that are raised by its members.
“We will listen closely to any concerns raised by the DUNCAN members and work with them to provide appropriate solutions.”