After a mass brawl on Broughty Ferry beach, many residents were quick to point the finger at free bus travel for young people.
Now it has emerged that many of the youths involved travelled to the beach by bus, adding weight to these concerns and suggestions already made by police in Tayside of a link between antisocial behaviour and the under-22s travel scheme.
As temperatures soared, police were called to the beach to deal with chaos which saw a 15-year-old boy injured and a police car vandalised. Witnesses reported youngsters ‘steaming drunk’, fighting and throwing bottles.
Trouble also flared at a nearby bus stop and on board a bus.
So after the gathering of up to 100 youngsters on the beach descended into carnage on Monday evening, the part played by free bus travel for young people took centre stage on The Courier and Evening Telegraph social media channels.
Has free travel played a part in the trouble?
Gail Smith wrote: “Should never gave these kids free bus passes.”
Lillette Sayar agreed: “I’m all for giving the kids free transport during school hours, but why after that I don’t know.”
Lor Kaysmum Dolan said: “Since the free passes loads everywhere causing trouble!”
But Daisy Soutar argued: “This stuff would happen with or without the free buses. This is irrelevant and very insensitive to those who can’t afford buses everywhere.”
And Susan Jackson replied: “I don’t think kids thought, ‘Oh I’ve got a bus pass, I think I’ll pop down the Ferry for a square go!’”
Disruption as youths cruise city by bus
Since introduction by the Scottish Government in January of free bus travel for under-22s, almost two-thirds of the 26,600 young people eligible in Dundee have applied for a travel card.
At the same time, the Tayside division of Police Scotland has seen an increase in youth antisocial behaviour on buses, with groups of children using the vehicles to cruise the city.
In June, Chief Superintendent Phil Davison told Dundee councillors the two things appeared to coincide.
In a report to the community safety and public protection committee, he said: “The buses have been used as places to congregate and as such we have seen increase reports from bus drivers and other passengers in respect of ASB.”
After Monday’s disturbance, Chief Inspector Ross Fitzgerald said: “We are aware that a number of youths used public transport to get to Broughty Ferry last night and to leave following the incident.
“The behaviour of youths at the bus stop and on the bus was also an issue and officers are working with the local bus companies to explore how best to tackle this issue.
“CCTV footage gathered as part of this ongoing inquiry indicates that a number of youths travelled on buses to and from the location.
“We would ask those who are using public transport to remember that it is for everyone’s use and if you are taking a journey, please be respectful to other passengers and the bus driver.”
Xplore Dundee has been approached for a statement, while Stagecoach East Scotland declined to comment on the issue, saying its buses were not involved in the incident.
‘Unintended adverse consequence?’
Ferry councillor Craig Duncan thinks the jury is out on whether free bus travel contributed to the beach incident.
But he says the impact of the provision must be monitored.
He said: “The free buses could mean more travel but I don’t think it’s the sole cause.
“Every year Broughty Ferry gets busy, that’s the nature of the place, it’s a tourist destination.”
Disturbances had occurred in previous years, he said, when hot weather mixed with young people high on alcohol and possibly other substances.
Antisocial behaviour could be an “unintended adverse consequence” of free bus travel for teenagers, he said but added: “I think it’s too early to tell.
“You really have to monitor it over the course of a year.
“If, and it is a big if at this point, it does lead to antisocial behaviour then I suppose consideration would have to be given to the whole project – either revoking it or possibly introducing a time restriction.”
Dismayed by Monday’s events, the Liberal Democrat has called for extra patrols and measures to prevent a reoccurrence.
He said: “The beach is there to be enjoyed during the summer weather and the actions of a minority should not spoil this for the vast majority who behave responsibly.”
Elsewhere in Scotland
Links between antisocial behaviour and free bus travel have also been made in Glasgow.
Scottish Conservative shadow community safety minister Russell Findlay said: “It was previously suggested that free bus travel was fuelling a rise in antisocial behaviour by youths gathering in Glasgow city centre, and it may well be this shocking incident in Broughty Ferry supports this theory.
“I would urge Police Scotland to react swiftly to such gatherings and provide the necessary resources before they turn violent, with the potential for serious injury or worse.”
What does the Scottish Government say?
When the free travel scheme was confirmed last November, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would improve access to education, leisure and work while encouraging sustainable travel habits.
However, the government admitted concerns had been raised about antisocial behaviour.
Outlining the benefits of free travel, a Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We are determined to ensure all children and young people who benefit most from free bus travel don’t miss out.
“We do not have any substantive evidence that free bus travel is driving antisocial behaviour and we believe that the vast majority of children and young people behave appropriately while travelling.
“We are however liaising with local authorities and bus operators on an ongoing basis, and concerns relating to antisocial behaviour are being monitored.
“The Scottish Government recognises that everyone has the right to be, and feel, safe in their community.
“That’s why we are committed to tacking all forms of antisocial behaviour. Police Scotland and local authorities have a range of powers available when tackling such incidents.”
Conversation