Dingwall High Street business targeted by arson attack

A ROSS-SHIRE businessman is calling for action after his premises were targeted in an arson attack.

Initially, Robert Macleod thought the Thursday night text message alerting him to a fire outside his Dingwall shopfront might have been a wind-up.

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But the Posterworld proprietor was horrified to discover it was for real and police are now probing the incident.

The boss of the collectibles store, which stocks merchandise related to movies, games and TV shows, said: “If it had taken hold my premises could have burned down and someone living nearby could have died.”

A quick-thinking passer-by spotted the fire which was maliciously set outside the entrance to the store. He then raised the alarm with a neighbour who supplied water to put it out.

Mr MacLeod said: “The damage could have been worse including not only the destruction of my business but the death of the lady upstairs who was sleeping at this time.”

He believes the damage may have been done by youths from outwith the town and that police are following a positive lead. Police have confirmed they are investigating.

There were local reports of vandalism attacks at a number of other premises, amongst them Lidl on the same evening.

Mr MacLeod said: “I have written to the local councillors on this and spoken to MSP Kate Forbes’ team as enough is enough.

“Our public toilets are closed due to vandalism and now my shop is targeted.

“I have requested more working CCTV to be installed on the High Street to help prevent this practice and catch them.

”I am so angry as they could have destroyed my business.”

He wants to see a beefed-up police presence in the town and assurances of a properly functioning CCTV system.

He said police responding to his call had been helpful and had stressed the value of photographic or film evidence in such cases.

He plans raising the issue at the next meeting of Dingwall Community Council and is meantime left counting the cost of the damage done.

While insurers are contacted, he has already been offered help repainting the damaged area. He thanked the local community for its support, adding: “I’m going to fight for this. We need to make the streets safer.”

A police spokesperson said: “A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.55pm on Thursday, May 30, 2024, officers received a report of a fire at a premises on High Street, Dingwall.

“Enquiries to establish the cause of the fire are ongoing.”