| Police have been patrolling the popular park as a hotspot over recent weekends amid reports of groups of up to 50 youths gathering there and drinking.
It also emerged over the weekend that a boy was hospitalised after an incident in the park. Police subsequently said they had made an arrest.
An eyewitness told the Tele the alleged assault occurred on an evening when youths had been drinking in the park for around two hours.
Maryfield councillor Liz Fordyce acknowledged that such incidents could discourage members of the public from using the otherwise-popular park during the light summer evenings.
“We have got a problem, but not just in Baxter Park,” she said. “It is in all the parks in the city, and I wouldn’t say Baxter Park was any worse.
“When people resort to violence it’s sad, particularly when alcohol is involved. We all need to work together to make sure people feel safe.”
Councillor Fordyce said she had been asking for more security for the green space since she was elected to the Baxter Park ward almost 10 years ago.
“We had the urban rangers, and we do need some form of ranger service during the day, but it is also very important to have people who can keep watch at night,” she said.
“We should also look at investing in some sort of CCTV for the park. Although I know there could be problems in areas where there are trees, there are a lot of open spaces too.
“We are into the lighter nights, when people are out walking their dogs and enjoying the park, and they want to feel safe while they are there.”
Police have been reporting seizures of alcohol in Baxter Park on an almost weekly basis.
On one weekend alone, 15 litres of cider and numerous bottles of lager were confiscated.
Councillor Fordyce said members of the public had an important role to play in tackling the under-age drinking culture in Dundee and across the country.
“People are criticising the Scottish Government at the moment for trying to address this problem,” she continued. “What we are needing is for members of the public to be more vigilant.
“If they see supermarkets or shops selling alcohol to under-age kids they need to report it to the police. The police are fighting an uphill battle on so many fronts trying to keep people safe.” |
