"I felt really intimidated": Dundee resident fears rise of anti-social behaviour in the city
A local resident tells Tay News how a group of teenagers threw a pint glass at her while in the city centre
Last updated 17th Feb 2022
A local resident is telling Tay FM News she fears anti-social behaviour in Dundee's city centre is becoming a major issue, after a group of teenagers threw a pint glass at her, while she was out for a meal in the city two weeks ago.
The resident, who wants to remain anonymous, said: "I felt really intimidated, and I just wanted to get away, I didn't want anything bad to come of it, and just wanted to get away."
She describes the moment a group of teenagers threw a pint glass, while she was taking money out of a cash machine:
"I was at the bank machine, taking money out, and then there was a crowd of them young ones there, maybe about 7 or 8 of them, and then I felt something smashing at my feet."
She tells us how she tried to ignore what had happened: "I didn't say anything, I just went back across the road to wait for my daughter, there was a women standing there who asked if I was okay, I asked her what had happened, and she said 'they just threw a pint glass at you'"
"My daughter wanted to confront them, but I asked her not to - I didn't want her to come to any harm."
The resident tells us she'd increasingly worried about the problem: "It is definitely something that's on the rise, there are so many crimes from these young folk hanging about, they just seem to be trying to cause trouble."
She is now calling for an increase in police presence in Dundee's city centre following the increase in anti-social behaviour.
"There needs to be more police presence in the city. Aye, okay I could have reported that, but by the time police had arrived they would have been gone, so there needs to be more police presence."
Anti-social behaviour an an 'ongoing issue' in Dundee
Police in Dundee say they are continuing to have to deal with multiple incidents of anti-social behaviour from youths,who are gathering in the city centre in the evenings.
Police say a number of businesses as well as members of the public are reporting incidents with incidents every night.
Just this week, a 14 year old boy was charged on Tuesday 15th with setting fire to a bin outside McDonald’s in Reform Street.
And on Wednesday 16th another 14 year old boy was charged with throwing a bottle at police officers.
Both will be reported to the Youth Justice Assessor.
Investigation launched in Perthshire
This cones as police in Crieff are launch an 'extensive investigation' following reports of antisocial behaviour, disorder and vandalism involving a number of teenagers in the Leadenflower Court area.
Police say they were alerted to an incident on the 16th of February, at around 7:30pm, and two boys, aged 12 and 15 were charged with assaulting a police officer.
Officers say further enquiries into the evening’s events remain ongoing.
Inspector Nicky Forrester said: “We are aware of a number of antisocial behaviour incidents involving young people in Crieff in recent months and the obvious disruptive effect it has had on the local community.
“I want to reassure the public that we are committed to working with our local authority partners to encourage young people away from this kind of behaviour, but will take appropriate action when necessary.
“Please – know where your young ones are, who they are with, and what they are doing.”
Constable David McDonald of the Dundee City Centre Community Team said: “This continuing behaviour from youths who are attending in the city centre from other areas of the city can only be described as disappointing and sometimes dangerous.
"Staff at establishments which are open in the evening, who are only doing their job and providing a service to the public, are continuing to be abused and have property damaged by groups of youngsters who are old enough to know how to behave.
"Their infantile behaviour continues to spoil things for everyone else, including other teenagers who are not misbehaving, but are suspected of being involved through association.
“Please – know where your young ones are, who they are with, and what they are doing.”