Four children involved in Halloween and Bonfire crime in Dundee amid 'crackdown on anti-social behaviour'

Four children under the age of 12 were involved in crimes committed in Dundee during the Halloween and Bonfire period.

Police say four people under the age of criminal responsibility were “identified as being involved” in criminal activity amid a crackdown on anti-social behaviour last year.

The period branded “Operation Moonbeam” includes Halloween, when riots kicked off in the Kirkton area, and Bonfire Night.

Around 60 people caused chaos in the area, including setting fires, trashing an empty house and chasing police.

Riot police attended and multiple people were arrested.

A few days later, two Dundee police vans were damaged and firefighters were attacked during Bonfire Night disorder in the same area.

Now, a police report for Dundee City Council reveals four of children identified during this time were under 12, the age of criminal responsibility.

It has not been confirmed if they were connected to the riots specifically.

During the same period, 11 youth offenders (aged between 12 and 15) and eight adults were also identified.

The report by Chief Superintendent Jason Carrigan said those aged 12 to 15 years old have been referred to the youth justice agency.

Adults have been “arrested, cautioned and charged and/ or reported dependent upon the circumstances”.

The report will go before the council’s scrutiny committee on Wednesday.

Operation Moonbeam also saw police visit local retailers, where they noted a “significant reduction” in the number selling fireowkrs.

They also held a “pro-social behaviour” event at Downfield Junior Football ground. The report credits this with “a reduction of anti-social behaviour incidents, particularly on Bonfire night”.