Mass brawl between youths in Fife village was 'pre-arranged', says councillor

A mass brawl involving large groups of youths in a Fife village was “pre-arranged”, according to a local councillor.

Police were forced to disperse large groups in Aberdour after being called to the scene at around 6pm on Tuesday.

Posts on social media suggested large groups were fighting, while police were stationed by nearby bus and train stations.

Officers were equipped with body-worn cameras in a bid to identify those involved.

The groups later dispersed and were transported away from the area. There were no reports of any injuries.

Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay councillor David Barratt said on social media that groups “arrived by train for pre-arranged disorder at Black Sands” and branded the behaviour “unacceptable”.

North East & Tayside

Police disperse groups of youths after ‘mass disorder’ in village

Posts on social media suggested large groups were fighting, with a police presence around nearby bus and train stations.

He added: “Following youth disorder in Aberdour yesterday, I have been in touch with Police Scotland and the Council’s Safer Communities Team to request a debrief of the incident and further discussion on the potential deployment of CCTV in the area.

“It is my understanding that groups arrived by train for pre-arranged disorder at Black Sands, in close proximity to residential properties. This kind of behaviour is wholly unacceptable, and I’m pleased that the Police response appears to have been swift.

“Over the last year or so, Police, Fife Council, Stagecoach and others have worked closely together to ensure agencies are in a position to respond quickly when intelligence is received, and this appears to have worked well yesterday. I’m also grateful to local residents who were quick to report what was happening.

“Aberdour is a fantastic place, enjoyed respectfully by residents and visitors alike, and we will continue to work together to make sure it stays that way.”

Inspector Gordon Stanford said: “This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and those involved will be traced and, where criminality is identified, be held accountable.

“I appreciate this has caused distress to local residents and I want to reassure them, officers will remain in the area and anyone with concerns can approach them.

“I’d also ask anyone with information on those involved in this disorder to come forward and speak to police.

“If you have CCTV, doorbell or dash-cam footage which has captured anything of significance, please also bring it to our attention.”

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2644 of April 7.

Police Scotland declined to comment further.