Police Scotland have urged the public not to share misinformation about an incident in Dundee involving a 12-year-old girl, after online speculation was amplified by Elon Musk and far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The girl was charged with possession of offensive weapons after a Bulgarian couple were approached by youths in St Ann Lane on Saturday evening. Alleged footage of the incident, showing a girl holding bladed weapons, was widely circulated on social media, with claims that the children had been harassed by individuals described without evidence as migrants.
Musk retweeted the allegations on X, posting: “What kind of government arrests little girls who try to defend themselves?” Tommy Robinson also shared the footage, writing: “Very distressed young girls being filmed by a migrant.” However, Police Scotland confirmed that CCTV evidence did not support these claims.
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, condemned the “deliberate misinformation,” stating that figures like Musk were undermining community cohesion. Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell said: “We would urge the public not to share misinformation about this incident or speculate on the circumstances.”
The girl, who is under 16, will be referred to Scotland’s children’s hearing system. Meanwhile, a crowdfunder appeal set up by her family has raised £30,000, repeating allegations that the girl’s sister was attacked and accusing authorities of targeting victims over migrants.
