An 18-year-old man has been charged after a motorbike was driven through a football pitch in Aberdeen while children as young as nine were playing. The incident occurred at Kincorth Playing Fields during a youth match at around 7pm on Tuesday, September 22.
Incident reported to police
The incident was reported to Police Scotland the following morning, September 23. On Wednesday, September 23, the 18-year-old was identified and charged in relation to the incident and will be reported. Officers are also continuing positive lines of enquiry in relation to another male involved.
Footage captured the moment motorbikes were driven through the pitch, causing "fear and alarm" among parents and children present. In addition to the youth match, several squads of teenagers were training on the playing fields at the time.
Club calls for fencing
A spokesperson for Kincorth AFC described the scenes as "crazy" in a Facebook post. The club said they have "spoken to the council and the police several times" about motorbikes in the area and are worried that one of the youngsters will be hit and seriously injured, saying it is "only a matter of time".
They added: "These pitches really need fenced in as a matter of urgency." Following the charge, the spokesperson said: "We now hope to gain the support of the Kincorth community. The work the club has done in the local area in regards to supporting youth and adult players is something we’re immensely proud of."
"In a community which is already starved of facilities, football at Kincorth has been a shining light for many, we’d like to now put plans in place to firstly secure the safety of our players and supporters, and to take measures to build the club."
Police appeal for information
Constable Jordan Titmuss said: "We understand the fear and alarm this incident has caused for the youths and parents involved. I would like to thank the local community for their assistance with this enquiry."
"We would like to encourage the community to report these types of incidents at the time they occur and to consider submitting intelligence to Crimestoppers or directly to Police Scotland in relation to the use of unregistered motor vehicles. We are reliant on the community to help us identify persons using these vehicles, where they store them and when they are most likely being used."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 7pm, on Tuesday, September 22, a motorbike was dangerously driven through the Kincorth Playing Fields while a youth football game was ongoing."
