Man arrested as targeted protests continue in Fife towns

A man has been arrested after continued protests at targeted addresses in Fife.

Fife Police said the 43-year old had been charged and would be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

The action comes a day after the Fife division issued a stern rebuke after crowds gathered outside homes in two towns as a man was removed from his property.

It is understood the protests centred around the same person who was removed from his home in Cowdenbeath, and then from a flat in Kirkcaldy after a number of people gathered outside. The location of the arrest was not disclosed by police as it published a statement on its Facebook page.

The rebuke again warned people their actions were “undermining efforts to manage risk within the community.”

The police statement said that at recent protests “individuals have been identified as something they are not, and again, people who reside in the properties, including women and children have been exposed to intimidation and threats.”

It continued: “It was recently highlighted that a number of incidents had taken place in Fife and crowds have gathered outside properties where there has been speculation about the identity of people who occupy these addresses.

"To reiterate, we will not tolerate violence or anti-social behaviour.”

The police said it wanted to re-assure communities that “all reasonable steps are taken to protect them” adding: “We have a duty to ensure the safety of all in our community and our enquiries continue in respect of anyone who is believed to have committed a criminal offence at any of these protests.

While speculation on his background was openly discussed on social media platforms, police released no formal information - and warned people that their actions were undermining efforts to “manage risk within the community.”

The police statement made no reference to the specific issues which resulted in the individual being removed, but there was open comment and speculation on some Facebook pages

The first statement from Fife Police warned: “”While many protesters believe they're acting with good intentions, others intend to seemingly cause anti-social behaviour and anxiety amongst the community, with their motivations being unclear.

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“This behaviour undermines the significant efforts undertaken by various partner agencies to manage risk within the community.”

The statement said the incidents had led to residents - “including women and children” - being “exposed to intimidation and threats” and it added: “Neighbouring properties have been damaged and locations have been identified on social media, thereby increasing the risk to all who reside in the local area.

“We have a duty to ensure the safety of all in our communities and anyone who is believed to have committed a criminal offence at these protests will be arrested and/or charged accordingly.

“We will not tolerate violence or anti-social behaviour. People need to understand these actions don't impact solely upon one person, but inevitably on others who are completely unconnected with the reasons for protest.

“People have a right to voice their concerns about matters, but when they do so in a fashion likely to inadvertently cause anti-social behaviour and/or violence towards innocent people within the nearby location, including children, then it cannot be tolerated.”

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