A TV host was left trapped outside his house after police raided Dundee United supporters’ buses during the Tangerines clash with Motherwell on Friday night.
Alistair Heather claims he was left without his house keys after officers confiscated bags from supporters’ buses during the Premier Sports Cup tie.
Having made the journey to Fir Park, the BBC Scotland broadcaster says police lifted several bags containing alcohol from the coaches while supporters were inside the ground.
Speaking to The Courier, he said: “Once we got back to the bus after the game the driver told us that police had come on and taken some bags.
“The unfortunate thing about that is I’d left my house keys in my bag as I thought that would be a safe place to keep them.
“It’s all a bit bizarre, I’m not sure why the police felt the need to take a few warm cans of dark fruits – there was no hint of trouble the entire night.
“On my bus, there was a mix of people of all ages all behaving very nicely – we even had a Motherwell supporter travel down with us.
“We’re all pretty perplexed as to why this has happened.”
Dundee United fan buses raided during Motherwell cup clash
Jim Goodwin’s side crashed out of the completion after Luca Stephenson conceded a last-minute penalty.
United fan Alistair says several other fans also had items taken from them during the game.
“Once we got back to Dundee a couple more of the supporters buses said they’d also had stuff taken,” he added.
“I didn’t get in the house until around 2am when someone turned up with a spare key.
“I’ve spoken to police today who said that alcohol was confiscated from buses outside the ground last night.
“The person I spoke to on the phone – who was actually pretty helpful – informed me my keys ‘may’ be in at Motherwell station.
“So I’ve got to go back down to Motherwell this afternoon to see if my house keys are actually there.
“I’ve not even had the chance to be angry at the result because of all this.”
Alistair posted an update on Twitter/X on Sunday stating he had collected his keys from Motherwell Police Station.
It comes less than a week after fans hit out at the Tannadice arrangements for Rangers supporters’ buses which prompted crowd trouble fears.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Friday, 20 September, officers searched a football supporters’ bus in Motherwell and a large amount of alcohol was seized.
“A 41-year-old man was charged and subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with this matter.”
Dundee United have been approached for comment.
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