Police hunt fans who kicked over boy’s sandcastle.

CRIME: Local area commander describes incident on Stonehaven beach as ‘completely unacceptable’

Football fans kicked over a young boy’s sandcastle, sparking a police probe.

David Officer, 37, from Stonehaven, said his son had an unpleasant run-in with Rangers supporters who had stopped off in the town.

Police Scotland confirmed officers had made attempts to track down the supporters responsible for the incident.

Mr Officer said: “One of the Rangers supporter buses stopped in Stonehaven on Sunday and their fans went down to the beach where my eldest son and his grandparents were.

“They shouted at my father-in-law and then kicked my son’s sandcastle over before they left.

“I’m more annoyed for my father-inlaw and mother-in-law who had to deal with it.

“The beach is a great place for kids to go and spend time.

“My son wasn’t affected by it but I just don’t get it. I don’t see the point in all of that. It’s just not something you do.

“I know all clubs have their fair share of idiots but it does seem like you tend to hear more of this behaviour from Rangers fans.

“And my father-in-law is a Rangers fan so I’m not just picking on them.

“I wish something had been done – maybe more policing among themselves – like not letting them back on the bus until they apologised or help rebuild the sandcastle.”

Councillor Sarah Dickinson, who represents the Stonehaven and Lower Deeside ward, said she was shocked when she heard of the incident.

She said: “It’s just plain bad behaviour. I’m shocked anybody would behave in that way, especially a child. I hope it’s an isolated incident.”

Local area commander Chief Inspector Martin Mackay said yesterday: “Officers in Stonehaven were made aware of a minor incident yesterday morning involving a handful of men who we believe to be football fans that had stopped off in the town for a short time on their way to the game.

“A unit was despatched and searches made, however, they had already left the area.

“Incidents like this may be low-level in nature and very rare, however, they are completely unacceptable and unwanted in any of our communities.”