Cops set up Dundee city centre task force

A special community task force has been set up by police in Dundee City Centre.

The group - who began work in the area on Monday - will spend the next four months targeting community issues such as drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, violent crime, theft and speeding motorists.

Members of the community task force have already had several successful deployments in the Tayside area, where communities in Arbroath, Montrose, Blairgowrie and the Stobswell and Hilltown areas of Dundee have seen first hand the positive impact the team can make.

Chief Inspector Suzie Mertes, in charge of operational policing in Dundee, said: "The team will provide a visible presence of officers on foot, cycle, and mobile patrols. They are a dedicated team of officers who will be supporting the work already being done by their beat officer colleagues, to make a real difference to the lives of people who live, work or visit Dundee City Centre.

"Tayside Police alone cannot tackle drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour. Only by working with others, be they in the health service, education departments or communities themselves, can we begin to make significant inroads. Communities in particular hold the key to starting these changes.

"Part of the remit of the Task Force officers is to engage with young people in the area, to talk to them about issues that are important to them, and to look at diversionary activities for those found loitering or getting involved in anti social behaviour.

"Begging is a problem in the City Centre and whilst begging itself is not a crime, it does have an anti-social impact within the community. Many businesses get frustrated with beggars choosing to position themselves outside premises or in doorways. The Task Force will be looking at ways in which they can resolve these issues.

"Anti-social driving can take the form of parking, non adherence to red lights and driving restrictions along with speeding and so called "boy racers" cruising the nightclub areas.

"The night time economy have a huge role to play in helping to keep the City Centre area crime free and the Task Force will be working closely with them to reduce alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We have lots of operational activity planned over the coming months and we will strive to do everything we can to engage with the community in order to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. We want people to report incidents to us. That way, we can make a real difference in the community."

Sergeant Carol Brown, in charge of the Community Task Force, added: "We want to get into the community, to work with the community, and more importantly to be there for the community. I'd like all members of the public to stop and speak to us, to let us know what problems or issues they have in the community. It's only by working with us that we can make a real impact."