Four men have been arrested following a “gang fight” in a quiet suburb of Aberdeen.
A painstaking search of land at Kincorth, next to the busy A90, was carried out yesterday after police were tipped off about the so-called altercation on Thursday night.
Residents watched in amazement as officers carried out an inch-by-inch search of the grassy bank using metal detectors, while a team of specialists scoured the ground for evidence.
Officers confirmed two “related disturbances” had taken place at opposite ends of the city on Thursday between 9.30 and 10pm – one at Springhill Crescent in the Northfield area, and the other at Nigg Way in Kincorth.
It is understood several men travelled between the locations in three vehicles – a green people carrier, a blue Toyota Corolla and a dark Ford Focus – ending up at the A90 Aberdeen to Stonehaven road.
A police spokesman said: “The vehicles involved travelled together between Springhill Crescent and Nigg Way on the Lang Stracht and South Anderson Drive.”
It was there the groups embarked on what police described as an “altercation”.
No one was injured in the incident, and the force was at pains to stress members of the public were never at any risk.
Last night, police confirmed four men, aged 23, 24, 44 and 49, had been detained in connection with the drama.
At the scene yesterday, residents spoke of their shock as their quiet streets were taken over by officers.
The area in question, between the Shell garage on the A90 and Nigg Way, was cordoned off by police until the early afternoon.
The number 40 bus, which usually terminates at Gardner Drive, was forced to change its route, and a representative from First Bus picked up stranded passengers and took them to the nearest bus stop.
A police search unit arrived at the scene around 11am with a group of specialists, who embarked on a detailed search of the area.
A metal detector was used by one officer, while colleagues made a step-by-step inspection of the ground behind him.
At one point, officers with hard hats used hammers to force open stuck drains so they could also be searched.
Many residents said the first they knew of the incident was when officers started knocking on doors around 11pm on Thursday, looking for witnesses.
One said: “I was sitting in my front room all evening and never heard a thing. The police must have intercepted it before it kicked off.
“People round here have heard two gangs turned up to fight.
“This is a really part quiet of town. I’m stunned.”
Retired nurse Marie Dunbar said she heard a bang around 10pm, but did not think anything of it until police turned up.
“I looked out at about 10.45pm and saw police with dogs searching the end of Nigg Way,” she said.
Kincorth pensioner, Elaine Cooper, said the last time she could remember similar trouble in the area was more than a decade ago, when 40 teenagers from Torry and Kincorth met for a brawl.
Police later found weapons, including baseball bats and sticks, discarded in the area.
Another resident said Kincorth, it had become a notorious spot for stolen cars to be abandoned.
“It’s the only drama we ever get round here,” he said.
Police are now appealing for any information or witnesses to the incident.
A spokesman said: “Anyone who was in these areas of the city at the time, and who believes they saw anything suspicious, is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, or alternatively if they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”