Residents of a Dundee housing estate say they are living in fear after a week-long “reign of terror” by a gang of local youths.
One Whitfield man said he feared there would be a fatality after teenagers clambered over the bonnet of a pensioner’s car and stood in the middle of a main road goading oncoming motorists.
The youths have been congregating on Berwick Drive with residents claiming their lives are being made a nightly misery with verbal threats and stones thrown at taxis and buses.
One resident said: “People are scared to come out of their houses. The most I’ve seen at one time was about 15 of them. They have been challenging some of the people here saying they’ll kick their head in it’s serious intimidation.
“The police have been out every night this week on Thursday it was blue flashing lights and three squad cars. They’ve been running through the gardens, kicking people’s stuff around and chucking it on to the road it’s been utter chaos.
“They even ran over the bonnet of one of the cars. The driver was old and he looked terrified. They stand in the middle of the road on Berwick Drive with their arms outstretched and jump out of the way at the last minute. Someone is going to get killed.”
The man said the trouble began shortly after last week’s snowfall.
The resident said: “We’ve never had any trouble round here, then they were chucking ice at people and smashed one of the windows. It’s just been this reign of terror.
“They have been back every night since and they are about 14 or 15,” added the resident. “They’ve all got hoodies tied around their faces, but some of the hoodies are quite distinctive, so people must know who they are.
“I know the police have taken away the CCTV from the shop on Berwick Drive so hopefully they can identify them from that.”
A Tayside Police spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that officers are investigating a few reported incidents of youths who have been involved in antisocial behaviour in the Whitfield area of Dundee recently.
“We appeal to witnesses to contact police with information to assist officers with their inquiries.
“Unfortunately, there is a minority of young people who do commit crime or who are involved in antisocial incidents.
“Their behaviour is not acceptable to those living in the community and they will not be tolerated by Tayside Police.
“Officers have increased patrols in the area and would appeal to anyone affected by antisocial behaviour to report this.
“Community officers work closely with partner agencies, including community wardens and local authority anti-social behaviour teams, as well as youth intervention groups, local businesses and residents to try to prevent and detect crime and also to provide diversionary activities for young people in the area.
“But we must continue to stress how important a role that parents have to play in ensuring that their children are of good behaviour, do not inflict misery on others and do not expose themselves to risk.
“We appeal to parents to please take the time to find out where their children are, who they are with and what they are doing.
“Residents should also contact the police straight away if they see or hear an incident, or any antisocial activity where they live, so appropriate action can be taken.”
Anyone who has information that can assist officers should contact police on 0300 111 2222 or speak to any officer.
Information can also be passed on via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
gogston@thecourier.co.uk