Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Police sorry after cops smash into wrong home
POLICE Scotland has apologised after mistakenly smashing down the door of the wrong house while attending an alleged stabbing.
Police were called to Clattowoods Drive after reports that a 59-yearold male and a 52-year-old woman had been stabbed.
But a mix-up saw a group of officers arrive in nearby Clattowoods Place instead, and use a battering ram to smash through the front door.
It is understood the sole female occupant was at home when cops mistakenly broke in, leaving the front door badly damaged.
Neighbour Gwen Davidson, 44, said her daughter and friends had been “terrified” by the incident.
She said: “My daughter had her pals staying for a sleepover. They’re only nine and 10 years old.
“Although it was happening next door, the girls felt the vibrations coming through our living room door. They were terrified.”
Another resident, who declined to be named, added: “I saw an officer running from the address around the corner into Clattowoods Drive.
“We’ve had issues with parcels being sent to the same house number on the wrong street. Given it was broad daylight, someone should have noticed.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “This was a genuine mistake made by officers attending a high-priority call where there was a potential threat to life.
“The officers concerned quickly realised their error and apologised to the householder.
“Senior officers attended at the home immediately afterwards to offer our sincere apologies and offer any assistance and support.
“Mistakes such as this do and will happen, when officers are aiming to attend incidents as quickly as possible. We do not underestimate the inconvenience and upset that mistakes such as this cause and where there are learning points that will improve our response and service, we will take these on board.”
Police arrived at the correct address at around 8am on March 25 and gained entry using a battering ram.
Residents said they saw a man covered in blood being taken away i n a wheelchair into a waiting ambulance.
A 59-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident. The damaged door.