Dundonians slammed over outlawed parties

Dundo ni an corona virus outlaws have been criticised after the city was placed second in a league table of illegal house party hotspots.

Information obtained under Freedom of Information powers revealed police had gone to 66 parties where the gathering broke household restrictions since officers were given extra powers in late August.

The city is second only to the north-west of Glasgow, where police attended 92 gatherings.

Cumbernauld and the east of Glasgow followed with 49 get-togethers which breached restrictions between August 28 and October 14.

The figures showed a large spike in both police call-outs and parties on the weekend of September 26 – days after the Scottish Government announced a ban on visiting people in their homes.

Tayside police are responding to around 15 call-outs every weekend, the figures show.

Councillor Fraser Macp her son, Liberal Democrat group leader in Dundee, said: “I am very concerned by the number of house gatherings not just in Tayside but across the country.

“This is a major way in which the virus can spread.

“The restrictions on household gatherings are there to ensure that Covid-19 spread is driven down to protect people and save lives, so it is vital that everyone understands this and sticks to the rules as the vast majority of folk do.”

Police Scotland also recorded a number of notable breaches in its weekly log of incidents.

Officers from the northeast division reported 270 students holding an “ongoing party” in halls of residence.

Officers also attended a house party in St Andrews where eight students required “reasonable force” to eject them. The log showed homes on Airbnb are being increasingly used to plan and host parties that break coronavirus restrictions.

All ages are breaking gatherings restrictions, say police

Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “Despite over whelming levels of co-operation and suppor t from commun it ies across Sco t land , a sma l l minority of people continue to host or participate in house par t ies and gatherings.

“These are not confined to certain age groups and people should not be in any doubt that house gatherings allow coronavirus to spread.

“Where we encounter wilful, repeated, persistent or flagrant breaches we will, as the public would expect and support, act decisively to enforce the law.

“T he chief constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save l ives by preventing the virus from spreading.

“Assault son police officers and staff carrying out their duties during this challenging time are disgraceful and will not be tolerated as we remain committed to improving and ensuring their safety.”

Across Scotland, only 41% of police call- outs ended up with partygoers being arrested or receiving a fixed penalty notice, according to the data.

I am very concerned by the number of house gatherings