The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)

Major police presence at Forfar vigilante demonstrat­ion.

DISTURBANC­E: Police rush to Forfar housing estate after Wolf Pack descends

- JAKE KEITH

A braying mob of so-called ‘paedophile hunters’ caused chaos in a quiet Forfar housing estate last night.

Nine police vehicles rushed to the estate after receiving calls from terrified local residents at around 7.45pm.

Around 10 members of the self-styled vigilantes Wolf Pack Hunters UK had gathered at a house after, it is believed, carrying out an online ‘sting’.

The group, who had driven up from Glasgow, swore and chanted for a man to come out from a property.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said many found the shouts and screams terrifying.

The 56-year-old said: “It was quite frightenin­g. It was like someone was being murdered in the street it was so loud. It really was absolutely crazy.

“They were shouting and hurling abuse. They were so aggressive.

“It was clearly an organised operation as they had big SUVS to transport everyone up from Glasgow, as well as placards and banners.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. “Kids who were playing in the street ran home crying they were so scared.

“The police were trying to get them to move on.

“They had scarves over their faces and wore the same clothes branded with the name of the group.

“It was made up of young guys, as well as middle-aged men and also women.”

The organisati­on describes itself as a “community response to the epidemic of grooming in the UK”.

They have carried out a number of other ‘stings, with one having taken place in West Lothian in June.

Similar groups include Dark Justice and Guardians of the North, as well as Silent Justice.

The neighbour added: “The group had sheets of paper, possibly with a man’s picture on it.

“They refused to leave until eventually they went down to the local police station voluntaril­y.

“It looks like they have targeted a property. I understand the reasons but scaring people and acting like a mob and taking law into their own hands is not the answer.”

A spokespers­on for the Tayside division of Police Scotland confirmed the force attended the incident.

He said: “We looked to try to get the crowd under control and ensure everyone’s safety.

“Members of the group were then taken to Forfar police station to tell us what they know.”

The group, which has almost 100,000 followers on Facebook, have been approached for a response but had not responded at the time of going to print.

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 ?? Picture: Kim Cessford ?? Police vehicles attend the scene after frightened residents called them in.
Picture: Kim Cessford Police vehicles attend the scene after frightened residents called them in.
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 ??  ?? The Wolf Pack with officers in attendance.
The Wolf Pack with officers in attendance.

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