Police in Dundee have issued a strong warning against the spread of misinformation after a 12-year-old girl was charged with possession of offensive weapons, following an incident that has sparked a wave of speculation and controversy on social media. The event, which took place in St Ann Lane in the Lochee area of Dundee at around 7:40 pm on Saturday, August 23, 2025, involved a Bulgarian couple who were approached by a group of youths. The case has become a lightning rod for online debate, with high-profile figures and far-right activists weighing in, often with claims that have been firmly denied by authorities.
According to BBC News, the incident began when police were called to reports of a girl seen with a bladed weapon in St Ann Lane. Several police cars responded to the scene at the nearby Balgay Street car park. Officers subsequently arrested and charged a 12-year-old girl with possession of offensive weapons. No one else has been arrested or is wanted in connection with the incident, and police have emphasized that their investigation is ongoing.
What might have remained a local matter soon exploded into the national—and even international—spotlight, after video footage of the girl brandishing weapons was shared widely on social media. Among those amplifying the footage were billionaire X (formerly Twitter) and Tesla owner Elon Musk, who shared posts about the incident with his 225 million followers. Right-wing activist Tommy Robinson also reposted claims related to the event. These posts, as reported by The Scottish Sun and The Scotsman, quickly became the focal point for a barrage of speculation about the ethnicity and intentions of those involved, with some users asserting that the girl was defending herself and her friends after being allegedly followed or harassed.
Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell, the senior officer responsible for Police Scotland’s Tayside division, moved swiftly to address the growing storm. In a statement issued on August 27, she 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, 23 August, 2025. 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.”
Russell continued, “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.” This call for restraint came as police confirmed that their initial statement had incorrectly listed the girl’s age as 14, clarifying that she is, in fact, 12 years old.
BBC News further reported that officers had found no evidence to support online claims that the youths were at risk of sexual assault. The force stated unequivocally that the social media reports circulating about the circumstances were unfounded. Despite these clarifications, speculation continued to swirl, with some posts focusing on the ethnicity of the Bulgarian couple and others suggesting broader narratives involving crime and immigration.
Elon Musk’s intervention in particular drew sharp criticism. According to The National, Musk commented, “Start by condemning the grovelers and collaborators in positions of authority in Britain who aided the rape epidemic of their own people or turned a blind eye to their responsibilities. Both civil and criminal prosecutions.” Musk’s remarks were in response to a user who had shared a photo, claiming it depicted the 12-year-old girl charged in Dundee. Police and local officials, however, have been clear that such narratives are not supported by the facts of the case.
Local councillor Nadia El-Nakla, who represents Dundee’s West End and is the wife of former First Minister Humza Yousaf, spoke out against the spread of misinformation and the attempts by far-right groups to exploit the incident. She told The Courier: “This is deeply concerning for many reasons. Everyone has the right to feel safe in our streets. Carrying a knife is a crime, and we must uphold a policy of zero tolerance towards knife crime. It is also clear that elements of the far right are attempting to hijack this incident to spread a racist, anti-immigration agenda. This is both dangerous and divisive, and it threatens the cohesion of our communities. Here in Dundee, we will not allow this to take root. The facts of the incident have been provided by our police service. These should be trusted—not the disinformation being pushed by those who wish to vilify asylum seekers and immigrants.”
The police response has been methodical. After reviewing CCTV footage and conducting other enquiries, officers concluded that the incident involved a Bulgarian couple approached by a group of youths, with the 12-year-old girl being the only individual charged. Police Scotland have repeatedly stressed that the investigation remains active and that the girl will be referred to the relevant authorities for further action.
This incident is not the first time Dundee’s police have had to tackle misinformation in the wake of a high-profile event. Just over a month earlier, Chief Superintendent Russell issued a similar plea for public restraint after the death of Dr Fortune Gomo, a Zimbabwean-born scientist, who was fatally stabbed in the city. In both cases, authorities have had to work not only to establish the facts on the ground, but also to combat a parallel flood of online speculation, much of it fueled by individuals and groups with their own agendas.
As The Scotsman reported, the circulation of video footage and commentary online has complicated the work of law enforcement. Posts have ranged from well-intentioned concern to outright fabrication, with some users making inflammatory claims about the motivations of those involved. Police have made it clear that such speculation is not only unhelpful but potentially harmful, as it risks inflaming tensions and undermining community trust.
So what actually happened in Dundee that Saturday evening? According to all official sources, a Bulgarian couple was approached by a group of youths in St Ann Lane. Police responded to reports of a girl with a bladed weapon. A 12-year-old girl was arrested and charged with possession of offensive weapons. No evidence has been found to support claims of sexual assault or other alleged motives. The girl will be referred to the appropriate authorities, and the investigation continues.
In the broader context, the Dundee incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement and communities in the digital age. The speed with which misinformation can spread—especially when amplified by figures with massive online followings—means that facts can quickly become obscured by rumor and conjecture. Police Scotland’s repeated calls for calm and accuracy are as much about protecting the integrity of the investigation as they are about safeguarding the social fabric of Dundee itself.
With the police investigation ongoing and the facts of the case now clearly established by multiple official statements, what remains is the broader lesson: in an era of instant communication, the truth can all too easily become a casualty. Authorities and community leaders alike are urging the public to pause, verify, and think critically before sharing or commenting on sensitive incidents online.
For now, the people of Dundee—and the wider online community—are left with a clear message from their police: trust the facts, not the speculation.
