| Officers from the Lochee station have begun a three-week crackdown on groups of youths, aged around 12 to 16, who have been active in the Dalrymple Street area.
Over the five weeks to January 7, police received 18 calls to Hillside Primary School and Hillside student halls of residence, most involving kids throwing stones.
The primary school was hit by vandals twice during the school holidays, with 34 windows being smashed and a repair bill around £3500.
Officers have also received a number of calls from residents in the area around Dalrymple Street.
The man in charge of policing the area, Inspector Jim Leslie, said, “Kids have been running through gardens and playing football. There has been vandalism to the flats and windows getting smashed.
“We are carrying out dedicated patrols in that area to identify the people involved and take appropriate action, either by charging offenders or using Beacon letters.”
The Beacon letter system is designed as a warning to children under 16, and their parents, that the type of behaviour they have become involved in will not be tolerated.
“I would say the children involved are in their early to mid-teens,” continued Inspector Leslie. “It’s not all crime they are involved in, but there’s an element of general annoyance.
“The aim is to gather intelligence and reduce youth calls in the area.
“We would ask for the public’s help, either by alerting us when incidents occur, or letting us know if they can suggest who is involved.
“The young people involved should be aware there are to be increased patrols in the area, initially for three weeks, then it will be reviewed.”
The mobile CCTV camera van will also be used during the operation.
Anyone with information should phone police on Dundee 223200. |
