There was high drama on Lochee High Street on Friday afternoon when around 40 police officers raided a pub.
Stunned onlookers stopped in their tracks as police vans suddenly pulled up outside Kelly’s Bar.
Approximately 16 officers described by witnesses as wearing riot gear, with the rest in support gear including stab vests stormed the well-known establishment and carried out a thorough search of the premises and its customers.
A man was subsequently detained in custody after being caught with a weapon while another male is to be reported to the procurator fiscal for possession of what is believed to be a small quantity of drugs.
Inspector Graham Young, who led the operation, said afterwards the action had been a success and sent a strong message that criminal activity would not be tolerated in Lochee.
“We have sent out a very positive message that if we hear of any criminality we are going to disrupt it,” he said.
A series of complaints from members of the public alleging drug activity in Kelly’s Bar led to a warrant being issued to search the premises under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
“Concerns were raised with us over what was going on there,” added Inspector Young, who has been stationed in Lochee for around a year.
“Whenever we speak with the local community we are told the one thing that blights their lives more than anything else is drugs. Not just in terms of those dealing, but the behaviours of drug users exhibited in public, how it can lead to theft and even violence.”
He added: “It is not often you will see this type of action in a pub there are risks involved because of the potential number of people inside and the alcohol. But I think what we have done today shows that we are prepared to go further in order to stop criminal behaviour.”
With tip-offs from the public central to the raid, Tayside Police are now keen for feedback from the wider community.
A drop-in session is arranged for Monday between 11am and 12.30pm in the car park at Adamson and Elder Court where people can put forward their view.
Inspector Young said: “It is very important that the community lets us know what they think, whether they believe that we were out of order or in fact happy that we are acting on the information that is given to us. We want to hear from them.”
Photo by Son of the Sea Photography