Police chiefs in Dundee have issued a fresh note of reassurance for locals in the Kirkton area as Bonfire Night looms – following the war-like scenes of rioting in the scheme earlier this week.
Several people have been arrested after youths allegedly hurled fireworks at police officers, set fires and smashed windows with bricks in the northern area of Kirkton on Monday night. The scenes provoked anger among locals and prompted Dundee supermarkets to withdraw fireworks from sale altogether.
Ahead of Bonfire Night – which has no official displays in Dundee after council chiefs cancelled them – Chief Inspector Ross Fitzgerald, local area commander for the city's police force, has issued a vow to keep people safe following Halloween's disgraceful scenes. Additional uniformed police officers are being deployed to the scheme this weekend.
Addressing concerned locals, Ch Insp Fitzgerald said: "Following on from the disorder seen in Kirkton earlier this week, we'd just like to reassure local residents that we have robust plans in place which will involve you seeing a highly visible policing presence right through the weekend.
"We have been engaging with local community members throughout the week and we fully understand the fears and concerns of local residents and are anxious to ensure that there is no repeat of the disorder seen, and people feel safe and secure in their homes over the course of the weekend."
The scenes in Dundee on Monday made headlines across the country, as video footage circulated showing teens stomping on cars and images were shared of smashed windows at the nearby St Paul's RC Academy high school.
However, Kirkton is also renowned for staging an unofficial, community-run annual bonfire night of its own. The Record understands that police, fire and council officers are on standby if further fires are set tonight, and sweeps have been made of the area to remove anything that could literally add fuel to the fire.
Dundee City Council SNP leader John Alexander, himself a native of Kirkton, said the incident was "absolutely disgusting", comparing the images with those of a "war-torn nation".
A 28-year-old woman, 15-year-old male youth and a 16-year-old male have been charged in connection with the riots, while another 16-year-old male has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
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