| The pilot project recovered from an unpromising start — only one person turned up for the Lochee surgery at the start of the month — but ended with almost 20 people turning up at Blackness Library to pass on their concerns to PCs Robert Forrester and George Gallacher.
Bad parking, graffiti, underage drinking, untaxed cars and rowdy students topped the list of complaints at the meeting.
Local councillor Richard McCready went along to pick up on some of the issues, and said he was so impressed with the idea that he would be writing to the Chief Constable.
The initiative came from the Lochee section of the force’s central division, and led to surgeries in Lochee, Charleston and Menzieshill, as well as the West End.
It will now be followed up by the installation of secure post boxes in four libraries in the west of the city, where local people will be able to pass on concerns to officers confidentially.
Councillor McCready said, “I think it’s great the police are listening to local people like this, and I’m glad to see the West End meeting has been well-attended.
“I really hope the police decide to keep this going. I’ll be writing to the new Chief Constable to commend the force on a great idea.
“Community police officers are doing a great job right across the city, as far as I can tell. Anything that improves links with local communities is something that should be welcomed and encouraged.
“I think the force should definitely look at extending the police surgeries throughout Dundee.”
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson, who also attended the meeting, was full of praise for the surgeries. He said, “I am pleased that Bob (PC Forrester) and his colleagues are doing this. It’s a good thing that they are reaching out to the community to hear what they have to say.”
PC Forrester said an apparent increase in street begging was one concern raised at the meeting.
He said properly-registered Big Issue sellers should not pose any problems for local people, but he stressed community officers would not allow beggars to settle themselves on the pavement with a cap in front of them.
He said, “In the last 12 to 18 months, it seems some beggars have migrated from the city centre to Perth Road, but we have a zero tolerance approach to them.
“People sitting on the pavement begging can be intimidating.
“It’s difficult to go about your business when people are sitting in your way looking cold and wet. This is something we are always giving attention to.” |
