Residents in a vandal-hit Lochee street say they have been “forgotten” by the authorities.
The elderly residents in Pitalpin Street, off Liff Road, have had to endure three fires at neighbouring properties in the past month the latest of which gutted a building in the former Pitalpin Works jute mill on Monday night.
Two boys aged 13 and 14 were arrested and charged following the fire and will be reported to the relevant authorities, police said.
The incident is just one of hundreds local people have had to put up with over the past four decades, says 74-year-old resident Robert Walsh.
“I’ve been here 40 years and it used to be good here, but once the mill closed the kids just vandalised it,” he said.
Another resident, a 75-year-old woman who asked not to be named, said it was time the authorities did something with the derelict buildings nearby.
“A cottage nearby was destroyed by fire last month. The woman who lives there is in a hospice I think, but her stuff was still there.
“The junkies discovered it was empty and used to be in it all the time. They set it on fire and then a few nights later they set the garage up beside it.
“Whoever owns it should be tidying it up it’s a complete mess. Why should we have to live with that there?
“The gangs are round here all the time. They break the wing mirrors on our cars as well. I’m scared to go to bed at night sometimes.Scary”It’s scary. I’ve been here for 20-odd years and nothing ever gets done. The only time you see the police coming round here is if there is a fire.
“We’re the forgotten people because nobody bothers about us.”
Lochee councillor Tom Ferguson says he doesn’t want a pattern emerging in the area after two other fires at derelict properties in the past month.
“I have already raised this with health and safety and planning departments to get this sorted out,” he said. “There are a few buildings like this in Lochee and they are becoming hazards to the community as they are targets for vandals and fire-raisers.
“We need to find out the best way to protect these buildings and, if it comes to it, maybe raze them to the ground.”
Mr Ferguson also praised policing in the area, saying this week’s quick arrests were encouraging.
“I really am happy with the police action on this. They arrested two kids very quickly and they’re making a difference in Lochee. So fair play to them they’ll do very good work here.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “We will be getting in contact with the building’s owners to discuss the situation with them.”