Police say investigations are “ongoing” after a teenager entered Plaza Real on Douglas Street on December 29.
The youth came into the gluten-free eatery and made his way behind the counter before aiming a racist gesture and comments to owner Jiordia Real as she was removing him from the property.
“It started off with the boy coming into the shop. We do get random kids coming in for gluten free food so it wasn’t unusual,” she said.
“When it happened it was so quick. He went straight to where my till is. He went behind the counter and I have got my prep and that is where I have got knives. My first initial thought was he is coming for the knives.
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“I told him to leave the shop and when we were outside it went really quick. I was thinking what did you say to me.
“The police spoke to me and are investigating the incident. As far as I know, they have got the photos of the boy. I gave them my CCTV footage but it is just trying to find him. They have got clearer photos of the boys at the bus station.”
Police Scotland have confirmed the incident is being treated as a hate crime.
A spokesperson said: “Around 2.30pm on Sunday, December 29, 2024 we received a report of racial abuse at a premises in Douglas Street, Dunfermline.
“This is being treated as a hate crime and extensive enquiries are ongoing.”
Since posting about the incident on social media, Jiordia has been overwhelmed with the messages of support.
“I was not expecting it at all,” she added. “The main reason I put something on (social media) was to say sorry to the customers. I wanted to say it is not what they should have to face.”