Police plea to pupils in rampage inquiry

POLICE are investigating whether gangs of schoolchildren were behind a "war zone" disturbance at a retail park.

Tayside Police said they were asking pupils and teachers from Dundee's high schools to help identify 30 to 40 youths involved in the rampage on Monday night.

The youths stormed the premises of KFC at Camperdown Leisure Park, Dundee, about 10pm smashing windows and overturning chairs.

One of them was carrying a metal pole. Several youths went into the restaurant and overturned chairs.

Shaken staff at the premises, alarmed by their conduct, managed to get them out and secured the doors.

The youths kicked and struck at the door and windows of the premises causing the glass on the front door and drive-through windows to smash.

A nearby Premier Inn was also targeted with a window in the foyer smashed after teenagers entered the building.

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said: "We are looking at all the angles, but given the ages of the youths, schools are the first place to start the inquiries."

Community officers are visiting Menzieshill, Baldragon, St Paul's, St John's, Harris and Morgan secondary schools.

Chief Inspector Suzi Mertes added: "We are currently examining private CCTV footage in a bid to identify the youths.

"Community officers have also visited schools to speak to the young people and to establish if any of them have any information which might assist us."