Police Scotland North East have issued the latest local crime report to Forres Community Council

Nearly half of Forres, Lossiemouth and Speyside’s shoplifting has been carried out in the Royal Burgh since the Spring.

Local policing inspector for the community policing team covering the area, Neil Morrison, confirmed the statistic in his bi-monthly report for Forres Community Council, following their request for information of instances at Tesco on Nairn Road.

He said: “A total of 68 shopliftings have been reported since April. These include 29 offences in Forres across six different retailers.”

Incidents of shoplifting have been rising significantly year-on-year in the UK - Police Scotland have established a retail crime unit in response.

On Tuesday, September 9, proactive enforcement took place across Moray by local officers, supported by the taskforce and partners Retailers Against Crime. A total of 13 people were arrested for shoplifting, thefts from tills, assaults and robberies committed against retail workers, possession of bladed weapons and warrant offences. Reports have been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

The community council report also focused on road safety and crime. During August and September, officers arrested six drivers found unfit to drive as a result of drink or drugs in Forres.

Over these months, officers detected 21 offences across Moray relating to motorists using a vehicle on a road without insurance, leaving other road users financially vulnerable.

During the reporting period, 21 motorists were also reported for speeding offences. Targeted speed checks in Roseisle accounted for five as police responded to residents’ concerns around speeding motorists.

Roads police officers carried out targeted days of action on the A96, leading to more offences being detected. Two instances of dangerous driving were detected at Brodie. Three people were reported for using mobiles while driving on the A96, including at Forres.

Insp Morrison said: “Into October and November, we will focus on drivers using our roads under the influence of illicit substances. We will work alongside Arrows. Those stopped are referred to substance misuse services.”

Meanwhile, local officers continue to enquire into reports of violence. There has been an increase in reported assaults - 35 during the period - resulting in either minor or no injury. A proportion included a victim being repeatedly assaulted over time by the same perpetrator. No serious assaults were recorded in any area.

The police are also continuing to target the supply of controlled drugs. ‘County lines’ drug dealing activities involve groups settling in Moray to do so.

Over the last two months, local officers have identified dealers from the West Midlands and Glasgow areas involved in such activities, resulting in arrests and reports being submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service.

During September, as a result of a search of a property in Forres, officers recovered Cocaine and Cannabis with a combined value of over £5000.

Insp Morrison reminded Forres Community Council that the police aim to reduce crime and disorder, help create safer communities and respond effectively to local concerns.

He said: “We had a busy summer period supporting a number of major operations including the visits of tall ships to Aberdeen and the President of the United States to the area.

“Despite these additional operational demands, officers remained focussed on tackling antisocial behaviour, supporting vulnerable individuals and working in partnership.”

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