LibDem councillor welcomes Dundee City Centre Police action

11.35.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 12th Aug 2006

LibDem councillor welcomes Dundee City Centre Police action

Dundee Liberal Democrat City Councillor for Tay Bridges Ward, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, whose area includes most of the City Centre and much of Dundee's West End, today (Saturday 12th August) praised the pro activity of Tayside Police in cracking down on anti-social behaviour in parts of the City Centre.

"I am pleased Tayside Police is tackling this problem and this will, I am sure, be welcomed by City Centre residents," commented Cllr Macpherson.

"I have no doubt that the effect of local police officers carrying out high profile patrols of these areas at key times will make a real difference."

Cllr Macpherson also said that the work of the City Centre Beacon Management Committee, chaired by Tayside Police, but with input from the local councillor, City Council Officers, local businesses, the Universities and others, was playing a key role in getting a co-ordinated approach to City Centre problems.

Further information from Tayside Police:

CRACKING DOWN ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Police officers in Dundee are cracking down on anti-social behaviour in the city-centre area after a number of complaints about youths congregating at the City Churches at night.

There have also been complaints about youths gathering under the Tay Bridge to take part in under-age drinking.

A dedicated action plan to deal with the problem has been devised by Tayside Police which will see officers based in the city centre carrying out high profile patrols of these areas at key times.

Sergeant Malcolm Harvey, who is based in Dundee City Centre, said, ''There has been a trend towards large groups of youths roaming around the area of the City Churches and underneath the Tay Road Bridge and this has resulted in a significant increase in calls about anti-social behaviour from both local residents and businesses.

'' Complaints have been made about under-age drinking, vandalism, littering, noise nuisance, and urinating in a public place.

'' We will be carrying out regular foot patrols in these areas and making the best use of the fixed CCTV cameras and the mobile CCTV van to identify any troublemakers. Anyone caught engaging in any anti-social behaviour will see themselves issued with a fixed penalty notice. Under the terms of the Anti-Social Behaviour legislation, we will be taking the names of anyone found congregating in these large groups or under-age drinking and they will be brought back to the police station where their parents will be asked to come and collect them.

'' As such, I would appeal to all parents to find out where their children are going in the evenings, particularly on a Friday and Saturday night, and to talk to them about the dangers of under-age drinking and the effects anti-social behaviour has on the wider community.

'' Young people need to be aware that we will not tolerate any conduct or behaviour that prevents the community from living their lives in peace and quiet.''

Related Link:

Police order extra patrols - Press & Journal.