After a poor start — only one person attended the first meeting in Lochee — numbers rose to around 20 at Blackness library this week.

Community Sergeant Watson Fraser said, “I think that, after a bit of a disappointing start, the whole thing has been a success.

“We’ve had a good turn-out at the other three surgeries, and although some of the things raised we already knew about, some we did not.

“Those will be objectives for our patrols, particularly leading up to the spring and the lighter nights, as some of the issues were relevant to that.”

Residents told officers about problems including bad parking, graffiti, under age drinking, untaxed cars, rowdy students and begging.

At the Menzieshill meeting, one pensioner said people were “frightened to come out at night”, while in Charleston it was claimed there is little sign locally of the community wardens.

Sergeant Fraser said, “We are planning to run another series of surgeries in the area covered by Lochee in about three months’ time, and I’ve just been told by the command team they are to be rolled out across the city.”

It’s likely each of the other three police sections in Dundee will tailor the scheme to their local geography, population and issues.

In Lochee, the next series may include a lunchtime session to accommodate elderly residents who are less keen to be out at night.

Local officers will also look at giving additional publicity to the meetings in an effort to ensure the maximum possible attendance.

Sergeant Fraser stressed that members of the public can contact them with issues outwith the surgeries, and postboxes allowing people to pass information to police will be placed in Lochee area community facilities soon.