Police dogs to search for pyrotechnics at Dundee FC match after young fan scarred for life by flare

Police dogs will be used to sniff out pyrotechnics at a Dundee FC game after a young fan was hit in the face with a flare.

Levi Rennie, 10, has been left scarred for life following the horror incident at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, March 30.

The youngster had travelled from Tayport in Fife to attend the game with his mum, Sheree, to support his team's clash with rivals St Johnstone.

He was struck in the face with a flare which left him with a scorched cheek and a hole in his head above his eye. A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident.

Police Scotland confirmed they will be taking extra measures at Dundee FC's game against Motherwell FC in a crackdown against the use of pyrotechnics. Specialist search dogs will be used at Dens Park to sniff out the devices from football fans attending.

Chief Inspector Gordon Fotheringham said: “Searching will be in place at the game, with the additional use of specialist dogs to prevent the use of pyrotechnics. Taking pyrotechnics into a football stadium is not only an offence, but also extremely dangerous.

"I’d ask people to think of the impact it could have on those around you, particularly people with medical conditions, young children, and elderly. It is disappointing and worrying that despite repeated warnings about the risk pyrotechnics bring, a small minority continue to smuggle them into matches.

“We are working closely with both teams to ensure the match goes ahead safely.”

Schoolboy Levi is now facing plastic surgery after the incident last week.

His mum Sheree revealed doctors told the family he could have been blinded.

Speaking to the Record, the 49-year-old said: "We saw flares being lit before kick-off and Levi was hit right at the start of the match. He