A top Dundee police officer has slammed “crazy” TikTok videos by alleged joyriders taunting the force.
Clips showcasing police pursuits and torched cars in the city have become commonplace on the popular social media platform in recent months.
Content producers including “fck the feds 12” and “DD4s Most Certified” are claiming to have been involved in criminal activity as they highlight their exploits.
While some footage comes with a warning label, Inspector Greg Burns, of Tayside Road Policing Unit, said he was “dumbfounded” at some of the footage.
Speaking to The Courier he said platforms such as TikTok should be trying to take greater responsibility for the content being shared.
TikTok ‘should take more responsibility’
He said: “We are aware of videos that are being shared online on platforms such as TikTok.
“This seems to be an issue confined to Dundee opposed to any other parts of Tayside.
“I’ve been dumbfounded by some of the content that has gone out there and the fact it’s being glorified online.
“There is footage being recorded while inside a car which is being pursued by police which is crazy.
“TikTok and other social media platforms should probably be taking greater responsibility of what content goes out there.
“I do realise though there is an element of where does it stop for these platforms in trying to monitor everything that goes online.
“Those producing the videos also need to take responsibility.”
TikTok culprits ‘difficult’ to trace
The inspector, who has been involved in road traffic policing since 2003, said it was “difficult” to look into the criminality showcased in these videos.
He added: “The emergence of social media particularly in recent years has been massive.
“However the problems we are seeing on TikTok aren’t new by any means.
“Whether people were engaging or liking this content or not those involved would still be doing it.
“The issues we are seeing with a number of these videos is that we are investigating these incidents retrospectively.
“It’s difficult for us to look into these matters without any sort of detail.
“Whether that’s a vehicle description, registration plates and a description of those involved.
“I would urge anyone to contact the police as and when they see these incidents happen or when they see them online.
“Once they are reported we will deal with them robustly.”
Social media platform responds
A spokeswoman for TikTok said they do not allow content which promotes “criminal activity”.
“Our community guidelines make clear that we do not allow content that depicts or promotes criminal activities and dangerous behaviour.
“We also automatically apply warning labels to content which promotes activities that could put our community in harm’s way.”
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