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Riot police called in as Dundee yobs start Halloween ‘wall of fire’ and throw fireworks

Fireworks being thrown at police near St Paul's RC Academy on Gillburn Road.
Fireworks being thrown at police near St Paul's RC Academy on Gillburn Road. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.

Riot officers and a police helicopter were called in on Monday night after yobs started a “wall of fire” across a Dundee street and threw fireworks as families tried to enjoy Halloween.

Drivers were forced to turn round on Balgowan Avenue in Kirkton after wheelie bins and other items were set fire across the road – close to Beauly Avenue – at around 5.30pm.

Fireworks and bricks were also thrown at vehicles near the Old Glamis Road roundabout.

The 'wall of fire' on Balgowan Avenue.
The ‘wall of fire’ on Balgowan Avenue. Image: Supplied.
A police helicopter flying over Kirkton
A police helicopter flying over Kirkton. Image: Supplied.

Firefighters and police were parked up at St Paul’s RC Academy, holding back from the Balgowan Avenue incident due to apparent safety concerns.

But events escalated as groups of people moved towards the school on Gillburn Road, where more fires were set and fireworks were thrown at officers holding riot shields.

Footage seen by The Courier showed cars being vandalised and windows at the school being smashed.

Fires were also started near the Beauly shops.

Riot police on Gillburn Road
Riot police on Gillburn Road. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.
Officers dealing with exploding fireworks. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.

A police helicopter circled above Kirkton for several hours using its spotlight as officers tried to deal with the riots.

One driver described the Balgowan Avenue incident – which happened as youngsters were guising nearby – as “disgraceful”.

He told The Courier: “There was a wall of fire across Balgowan Avenue near Old Glamis Road.

“Cars were having to drive over the grass verge so they could turn round because they couldn’t get past.

Officers with shields at St Paul's RC Academy.
Officers with shields at St Paul’s RC Academy. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.

“People were throwing fireworks across the street and there was smoke spreading across the area.

“There were also scrambler bikes racing around the area – you could hear them from quite a distance away. I nearly ran into a couple earlier in the night.

“It’s disgraceful. There were loads of kids and families out guising and they were being met with dangerous behaviour like this.

VIDEO: Riot police deal with Kirkton chaos

“I spoke to the fire brigade and they said they were aware of it but I couldn’t see any firefighters there – they might have been staying away for fear of attack.

“I saw two engines parked up the road at St Paul’s along with police riot vans.

“The helicopter spent a couple of hours circling the area shining its light down – mainly on the Beauly and Gillburn Road areas.

“It was flying really low.”

One parent driving along Balgowan Avenue was forced to turn back due to the flames.

The remnants of one of the fires started on Balgowan Avenue
The remnants of one of the fires started on Balgowan Avenue. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.
Cars were unable to get past. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.

She said: “I was angry and scared at what was unfolding.

“I was coming down from Asda Kirkton to come home.

“As I came down towards Balgowan Avenue I had to bump up on the middle island to turn around.

“There were fireworks being set off all over the place, it was a shame on the wee ones that were out guising.”

Fire engines and police vans in the school car park. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.
Officers preparing to confront the crowds. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.

One local posted on Facebook urging people to avoid the area, saying their car had been hit by a brick.

Another added: “Avoid Balgowan Avenue in Kirkton near the Old Glamis Road end.

“The idiots have literally set all the roads on fire and are throwing fireworks onto it.

“I had to drive over the grass and turn back.”

A fire on Beauly Avenue
A fire on Beauly Avenue around the same time. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.
More fireworks being thrown at police. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson.

Meanwhile council leader John Alexander has described the events as like “scenes from a war-torn country”.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “We were called around 5.30pm on Monday to a report of a disturbance in the Balgowan Avenue and Old Glamis Road area of Dundee.

“Emergency services are currently in attendance.”

The incident comes after residents in Kirkton described living there as like being in The Purge last November – due to a spate of anti-social behaviour involving fires and off-road motorbikes.

There were also problems on Bonfire Night last year at the same location.

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