DUMBARTON and the Vale’s MSP has appealed for calm as police were hit with fireworks for the second time in less than a month after hundreds of people gathered outside a house in Bonhill.

Jackie Baillie issued the plea after cops were called to deal with a gathering of hundreds of people outside a property in Braehead last week.

Police have now stepped up patrols after objects including fireworks and bricks were hurled during the incident on the evening of Thursday, March 16.

Thursday’s incident followed a similar gathering outside a house in Graham Road in Brucehill on the night of Tuesday, February 28.

Police announced at the weekend that seven people had been arrested and charged in connection with the Brucehill incident.

Police Scotland said officers acting under warrant had entered properties in the Clydebank, Glasgow, Port Glasgow, Wishaw and Livingston areas last Friday.

Four men, men aged 21, 27, 45, and 48, and three women aged 31, 36, and 43 were arrested and charged in connection with allegedly mobbing and rioting in Graham Road.

Now Ms Baillie has called the two incidents “incredibly disturbing”.

She added: “The safety of the residents of these areas is of the utmost importance along with the safety of our police officers who are on the front line in order to protect our communities.

"I thank them for their work to maintain the peace and also to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“When large-scale unnecessary incidents happen, like those we have seen in Brucehill and Bonhill recently, it diverts police away from emergencies, which should be the last thing anyone wants to happen.

“It is of particular concern that people are making significant journeys to West Dunbartonshire to cause trouble.

“I would ask them to let the police do their job.

"If people in West Dunbartonshire are worried about an individual or if any incident has arisen which causes concern, their first port of call should be the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

Describing the Braehead incident on Thursday night, Chief Inspector Ryan McMurdo, Police Scotland’s local area commander, said: “Around 8pm, we were called to reports of a large crowd gathering outside a house in Braehead.

“Unfortunately during the incident, some of those gathered became extremely hostile towards police.

“Objects including bricks and fireworks were thrown at officers and public order trained officers were called to assist.

“The crowd later dispersed.

“We have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone involved, and although no officers were injured, this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable.

“This type of disorder causes fear and alarm to residents and I would like to reassure the local community that our investigation is continuing to trace those involved.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area and anyone with concerns should speak to officers.

“We are working to establish more details on the offences committed, identify those responsible and take the appropriate action.

“This will include reviewing any available video footage.

“We urge anyone with information to contact officers through 101 quoting reference number 3328 of March 16.”

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Police also say that anyone with personal footage of the incident can send it to a dedicated email address – operationiridescent@scotland.police.uk.