Terrorised Monifieth residents have kitted themselves out with bodycams as a defence against youngsters turning a local park into a “no-go zone”.
They say Ashludie Park is a hotspot for gangs of teens growing increasingly aggressive towards locals.
Some of the youths have driven their e-scooters at dog walkers and others making their way through the popular park.
Police are stepping up patrols in the area after a string of complaints.
One local woman said she had been given the message she had “no business” being there.
She now wears a bodycam when walking through the park.
Large groups
“This really started to get worse around May this year,” said the local.
“There are large groups of late primary-aged pupils, and then smaller groups of senior pupils – maybe around 16/17-years-old.
“At Halloween we have had eggs thrown at our home but it always seems to be younger children.
“But this is different – there’s an edge here.
“There’s a pack mentality, which is really alarming.”
The resident added: “This is an increasing problem involving an increasing number of children.
“The older ones have absolutely no qualms about approaching someone and facing up to them going through the park.
“They are very aggressive and threatening – it’s absolutely terrifying.
“We have lived here for nearly 30 years and never seen anything like it.
“People think Monifieth is a nice quiet place to live.
“But these children are going up there to smoke dope and take over the park with the idea they can just cause mayhem.
“Folk are not thinking they may have to have some level of security just to walk through a local park, especially not in Monifieth.
“Body cameras were recommended by the police when we reported incidents to them.”
There have, however been community comments raised around recording minors.
The woman added: “I am not the only person who has one. There are others who like to use the park but they are simply terrified to go into it alone.”
‘Real bravado among them’
“The bodycams are not being used to raise the ante or create animosity,” she said.
“It’s purely the only way at the moment to try to help police identify the culprits if there is an incident.
“The police have been helpful when we have called them, but they are stretched and cannot be here all the time.
“There have already been instances of teenagers coming right up and filming in your face with their mobile phones in some sort of retaliation to seeing someone wearing a bodycam.
“There is a real bravado among some of them.”
The woman added: “It has now got to the stage that comments have been made by some people that I have no business walking in the park anyway.
“It is genuinely worrying that people should say that.
“That’s risible – why would anyone suggest a public park should be a no-go zone?”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of community concerns regarding antisocial behaviour incidents involving youths at Ashludie Park, Monifieth.
“Enquiries into these matters are ongoing and officers will be increasing their presence in the local area.
“We would encourage anyone with information or any further concerns to report these to police on 101.”
Police made no comment on the suggestion officers had advised locals to kit themselves out with bodycams.
In June, two teenagers were hospitalised after a fight involving around 20 youths which was witnessed by horrified onlookers.