Boy is victim of racial abuse and assault

Witness appeal as 15-year-old suffers serious facial injury in ‘despicable’ city centre incident

A 15-year-old boy was racially abused before being seriously assaulted in Dundee city centre.

The incident happened on Tuesday night at around 11.20pm near the Wellgate Shopping Centre.

The suspect is believed to be a 15-yearold male, who at around the same time also allegedly seriously assaulted a 32-year-old man on Panmure Street.

The boy was subjected to racial abuse from the youth standing at the junction of Panmure Street and Meadowside.

When he walked away he was followed by two youths, including the suspect, who continued to shout abuse.

There was an altercation and the 15-year-old sustained a serious facial injury.

The suspect is described as around 15 years old, 5ft 6in, of average build with short brown hair.

He was wearing black Adidas tracksuit bottoms, black and grey 95s Air Max trainers and a black puffa-style jacket.

Officers are also keen to speak to the youth who was with the suspect. He is described as around 16, 6ft, and of a slim

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There were a number of people in the area at the time of these assaults and we are keen to speak to them.

PC PAUL SCOTT

build. He was wearing a black baseball cap and a black jumper.

PC Paul Scott said: “This was despicable behaviour which will not be tolerated and we are working to establish the circumstances leading up to these two incidents.

“There were a number of people in the area at the time of these assaults and we are keen to speak to them. They include two teenage girls and a workman.

“Anyone who recognises these descriptions or who was around at the time of these incidents, which are being treated as linked, is urged to come forward.”

Those with information can call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incidents 4462 and 4494 of October 15, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

It comes just over a year after Monifieth councillor Ben Lawrie spoke out over racist abuse directed at his partner as they walked through the city centre.

Mr Lawrie said at the time the incident had left him “heartbroken” but praised the reaction of the public after he spoke out about it.

Meanwhile, officers in the city are set to complete a two-week violence reduction operation this weekend.

Operation Quest has seen 12 weapons recovered, including a CS canister, a Taser-type weapon, a riding crop adapted with a blade, and numerous knives and hammers. More than 20 people have also been arrested.

Intelligence-led high-visibility patrols were also carried out in the city centre, Douglas, St Mary’s, Lochee and the Hilltown.