Police closing in on vandal group

INVERGOWRIE: Officers ‘working hard’ to tackle crime wave

Police say they are close to catching a group of teenage vandals suspected of causing havoc in Dundee and Invergowrie.

In the worst and most recent of the incidents last week, 16 cars were badly damaged in the space of two hours near Ninewells Hospital.

The so-called crime wave has concerned locals so much that a special meeting was organised in an Invergowrie church, attended by 40 residents.

Sergeant Nicky Forrester of Police Scotland told the group that the force “think we know who it is”.

She added: “The increase in crime is getting discussed almost daily to be honest.

“We are working really hard to find those responsible, believe me.”

Police investigating a so-called “crime wave” in Invergowrie have promised locals they are close to apprehending a group of teenage suspects.

The spate of incidents seemingly began with the local Scotmid store being broken into on January 17.

One of the next incidents, on January 19, saw a father scare off three teenagers who had climbed into the back seat of his unlocked car.

A number of cars were then vandalised across the city boundary near Ninewells Hospital.

Many of the incidents revolve around vandalism and thefts from vehicles and sheds.

In an attempt to address fears among locals, Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes organised a crime update meeting last night at Invergowrie Parish Church, attended by around 40 people.

Police Sergeant Nicky Forrester for the Perth and Kinross area, said the force “think we know who it is”.

“The increase in crime is getting discussed almost daily to be honest,” she said.

“The crimes are not just here in Invergowrie but in Dundee too.

“Officers in the city are not happy with the volume of crime either.

“We have some CCTV footage and some forensics that we are looking at.

“We can’t reveal too many details about the investigation for obvious reasons. Hopefully once we catch them, the incidents will stop.”

She added: “We are working really hard to find those responsible, believe me.

“We think it’s local people. Possibly notfrom Invergowrie but from Dundee.”

Just last week the vandalism appeared to spread into nearby Dundee after 16 cars were damaged in the space of two hours near Dundee Technology Park and Ninewells Hospital.

In the most severe of the attacks, the gang used a boulder to smash their way into a white BMW at Medipark car park and left holes gouged in the bodywork.

Furious Ninewells staff, who reported further vandalism since, have been urged to help police with their inquiries.

When asked by a resident what punishment a child is likely to receive if caught, Sgt Forrester said: “We have a separate youth justice process where we try and keep young people out of the adult crime system.

“Not everyone agrees with that, but evidence shows that by doing it this way they are less likely to go on and offend in later life.

“If it’s a young person that’s committed a crime then there’s less likelihood of you going to court and the chance of any financial compensation is very slim.”

Police have been forced to step up patrols following several weeks of incidents in the usually quiet area.

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We are working really hard to find those responsible. SERGEANT NICKY FORRESTER

A damaged BMW near Ninewells Hospital, part of a “crime wave” that has seen a spate of incidents in the west of the city and Invergowrie.