Riot police called as youths rampage in Dundee

Riot police were called in after a group of youths blocked roads in Dundee with bonfires and hurled fireworks in the street.

The disorder began on Beauly Square in the Kirkton area at about 17:30 on Monday and continued for several hours.

Drivers were forced to turn back from the fires and a Police Scotland helicopter circled above the area.

Fireworks were thrown at the emergency services and one police officer suffered a minor injury.

There were reports of vehicles being hit with bricks and people jumping on car roofs.

Another image showed windows being smashed at a nearby school.

Videos on social media showed fires being lit on the adjacent Balgowan Avenue and police with riot shields attempting to contain the disorder as fireworks exploded next to them.

Local supermarket Asda has since removed fireworks from sale "due to recent disruption in our local area".

The leader of Dundee City Council, John Alexander, grew up in the area and said his parents live "a couple of streets away" from where fires were lit.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "I know at this time of year we see trouble across the whole of Scotland but this was particularly disgusting.

"The images that are coming out of what occurred last night just are absolutely disgusting. Appalling."

He added: "I've never seen anything in 34 years of having lived in that area or, you know, covered that area in my role as councillor, anything like that.

"For all of those parents and children who last night should have been a highlight for, it's now been a horrendous night for them.

"And their experience, of course, is not something that anybody should have to go through."

Local resident Jimmy Cowie, 73, saw the police helicopter as well as hearing the noise from hundreds of fireworks.

He said: "This has been happening for the last couple of years, it seems to be an annual event.

"It's shocking, the majority of people here in Kirkton are lovely people and law-abiding.

"Unfortunately, we have an element that don't feel that way. Some of the people in the video footage will be well-known to them.

"I'm sure people here want to see an end to all this nonsense."

Police Chief Superintendent Phil Davison said there was "no justification" for the disorder and inquiries were being carried out to identify everyone involved.

"Throwing fireworks and other items towards emergency services is reckless and dangerous. No one should go to work and expect to be attacked," he added.

"One officer suffered a minor injury and damage was caused to a school and a number of vehicles.

"I would like to reassure the public of Dundee that we remain committed to keeping them safe as we understand last night's behaviour must have been really distressing for residents in the areas."

He said officers would be patrolling the area to offer reassurance to local people.

"I would appeal to anyone who knows who was involved in the disorder, or has any information from last night, to contact Police Scotland on 101," he added.

By Tayside and Central reporter Graeme Ogston

Like many housing schemes in Scotland, Kirkton is an area that isn't any stranger to anti-social behaviour. But even locals seemed shocked by the level of mayhem on their streets last night.

Driving through Kirkton this morning, the aftermath of the disturbances was plain to see. St Paul's secondary school may have had its smashed windows replaced by the time the sun came up, but the same could not be said for the local newsagent, its window put in by vandals.

Piles of still-smouldering debris lay beside a local playpark, a road still blocked off by the charred remains of what looked like a burned-out motorbike and rubbish.

Locals were reluctant to speak, but those who did said hundreds of youths, and some adults, ran riot for almost six hours, fireworks and fires set off and lit on every corner.

The anger and frustration of locals forced to endure this on their doorsteps was plain.

As the clean-up continues, questions are being asked how this was allowed to happen and what, if anything, can be done to stop it happening again.

Councillor Daniel Coleman said the conduct was "inexcusable".

He said: "The perpetrators are extremely lucky that no-one appears to have been hurt. With it having been Halloween, several children will have been out in the streets and this could have been a disaster.

"I hope that Police Scotland identify the culprits as quickly as possible and appropriate action is taken. What happened is simply not on. I will be contacting local police about my concerns.

"Public resources are already stretched to their absolute maximum without having to deal with this mindless behaviour".

Local business owner Kelly Fairweather, who is also vice-president of the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, lives within three miles of where the chaos unfolded.

She told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "It was fireworks going off, helicopters above. It was horrible. My children were really upset.

"I think we have to remember that's not what Dundee is all about. It's usually a very nice city."

She also linked the trouble to the cost-of-living crisis.

"When people are bored and hungry, and people have got nothing to keep them going, then this seems to be the way that it plays out," the business owner said.

"I'm really worried that because Dundee is so small, it will spread - and other places will then start to take advantage of it."