The manager of the Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee has slammed police and free bus passes after a vandalism spree.
Malcolm Angus claims the centre has suffered about £80,000 of damage in the last 12 to 18 months.
He says staff are “constantly” dealing with anti-social behaviour involving youths – and is even considering reducing the Overgate’s opening hours as a result.
It comes after two windows were smashed at Primark in the centre on December 18.
Other, similar incidents have been reported near the Overgate in recent months.
Mr Angus told The Courier: “It is becoming a very real issue, to the extent we are now looking to possibly close the centre early to stop the kids running amok.
“We constantly have damages within the centre – windows smashed, toilet doors pulled off, sinks smashed and general anti-social behaviour.
“Over the last 12-18 months, Overgate has incurred around £80k in vandalism at the centre and there is no sign of it de-escalating any time soon.
Dundee city centre ‘becoming the Wild West’
“Since the Scottish Government issued free bus passes to those under the age of 22, we’ve had kids from outlying schemes coming into the city centre causing mayhem.
“There are no police in Dundee city centre, the youths know this so there is basically no deterrent within the city centre – it is becoming the Wild West.”
Mr Angus says he is “hitting his head against a brick wall” when calling for action from the police and council, adding that he hopes speaking out will “embarrass” them.
Councillor Lynne Short, who represents the city centre and is deputy convener of Dundee City Council’s Community Safety and Public Protection Committee, says the comments are “surprising”.
She said: “I can understand the frustrations of the centre and members of the public regarding any anti-social behaviour.
“There is certainly no magic wand to fix this and make it go away.
‘They’d go with or without a bus pass’
“We’re aware of the issues in the city centre and are working closely with the police and other agency partners.
“The comments regarding a lack of police are surprising as I know the work officers are doing in the city centre.
“If people want to go into town to cause disruption they’d go with or without a bus pass.”
Mr Angus’s comments come after police told The Courier they do not believe free bus passes are directly to blame for anti-social issues in the city centre.
Police say Dundee vandalism has reduced
Asked to respond to the Overgate boss’s claims, Chief Inspector Ross Fitzgerald, local area commander for Dundee, said: “We saw a reduction of 5% in vandalisms in the city this year in comparison to last year.
“There has been an increase in anti-social behaviour involving youths following high-profile incidents such as the disorder in Kirkton and Broughty Ferry.
“The city centre sees a proportionate number of these types of incidents and we are acutely aware of the concern this causes.
“Regardless of how people travel into the city centre it’s not acceptable to cause to damage and disruption.
“We have had positive feedback from retailers since the introduction of the new policing model for the city centre in March 2022 and will continue to work closely with them to tackle these issues.
“Positive engagement with young people is key to reducing incidents.
“We are actively involved in several projects in the Dundee area with our partners to deliver interventions designed to deter this type of behaviour.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government says there is “no evidence” to suggest a rise in youth crime is linked to the free bus pass scheme.
They added: “Free bus passes help reduce social inequality, provide better access to work, education and leisure and give younger generations a better start in life.”
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