4 hours ago
Police Scotland have warned 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 Tommy Robinson.
After the incident, during which a Bulgarian couple were approached by young people in St Ann Lane, Dundee, on Saturday evening, a 12-year-old girl was charged with being in possession of offensive weapons.
Alleged footage of the incident was circulated widely on social media, including images of a girl holding up bladed weapons and claims that she and her friends had been harassed and followed by individuals, who were described as migrants with no evidence to back that up.
Musk retweeted some of these allegations on his social media platform X and posted himself: “What kind of government arrests little girls who try to defend themselves?”
The allegations were also reposted by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennnon, who wrote: “Very concerning video out of Dundee, Scotland. Very distressed young girls being filmed by a migrant, the children can be heard saying they’re only 12, and to leave them alone.”
But police in Dundee have since confirmed that after reviewing CCTV footage they had found no evidence for the allegations circulating on social media.
Ch Supt Nicola Russell said: “We are aware of misinformation being shared on social media in relation to an incident where a Bulgarian couple were approached by youths in St Ann Lane, Dundee, on Saturday.
“A 12-year-old girl has been charged with being in possession of offensive weapons. She will be referred to the relevant authorities and our enquiries are ongoing.”
As the girl is under 16 her case will be heard through Scotland’s children’s hearing system, which takes a less formal approach to court.
Russell said: “We would like to thank the local community for their help with our investigation and would urge the public not to share misinformation about this incident or speculate on the circumstances.”
The girl has been declared a hero on social media, with cartoons depicting her as Braveheart and a crowdfunder appeal already generating £20,000 in donations.
The appeal, which was apparently set up by her family, repeats allegations that the 12-year-old’s sister was physically attacked during the incident and says the girl “needs our help to stand up to the corrupt law establishment that would rather go after victims than hold foreign migrants accountable for their crimes”.
