Hospital staff in Dundee have been asked to help track down a gang of youths suspected of unleashing a wave of crime and vandalism.
Police Scotland has stepped up patrols and drafted in traffic officers to carry out extra checks following an “extensive series” of vandalism and car break-ins across Invergowrie, Dundee Technology Park and the area surrounding Ninewells Hospital.
A number of NHS staff had their vehicles targeted as part of a night of chaos which saw 16 cars damaged in the space of two hours on Wednesday, with workers reporting more vehicles being “badly damaged” the following day.
Hospital staff are now being asked to submit dashcam footage which may help catch the culprits.
A town meeting will be held at Invergowrie Parish Church on Thursday to discuss the concerns of local residents following weeks of issues, including one incident where a father discovered teenagers climbing into the backseat of his unlocked car.
Officers believe all the incidents are linked, including a break-in and attempted robbery at Scotmid Invergowrie, and have called for anyone with information to come forward.
Pictures show a boulder smashed through the window of one car and deep gouges left in the bodywork.
One hospital worker, who asked not to be named, said she had just finished a busy nightshift on Wednesday when she returned to Medipark car park to find her passenger window smashed and glass left strewn across the seats.
She confirmed several of her colleagues at Ninewells were affected and it is understood valuables were taken from a number of the vehicles involved.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said it was “very concerning” to hear the vandalism had spread to his ward and insisted the matter must now be dealt with “as soon as possible”.
He said: “I’ve made contact with the chief inspector seeking assurances that police are giving this significant attention.
“The Technology Park and Ninewells Hospital fall within the West End ward and it is very concerning to see this type of mindless violence. It is not just disgraceful, it really needs to be knocked on the head as soon as possible.”
NHS Tayside said Police Scotland had requested information on the break-ins be shared with all staff at Ninewells Hospital, along with a request for any footage taken at the time.
A spokeswoman said: “We were asked by the police to share information about the incidents with Ninewells staff to see if anyone parked in the area could help with information or dashcam footage.
“We sent out an email to Ninewells staff to that effect advising anyone who could help to contact Police Scotland.”
The message sent to staff references the spate of break-ins in areas such as Mariner Drive, Gemini Crescent, Luna Place, Wurzburg Court.
It states: “If any staff have dashcams and can check footage between these times, Police Scotland would like to hear from you.”
