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New Forres community police officer making positive impression


By Ali Morrison

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PC Michelle MacDonald is enjoying making connections in Forres.
PC Michelle MacDonald is enjoying making connections in Forres.

A CONSTABLE who joined Forres police last year has made a positive impression on local people, young and old.

PC Michelle MacDonald took on the role of community officer and has since addressed issues including youth disorder and fraudsters targeting the elderly.

She said: “I’m enjoying the role tremendously and I’m keen to address concerns which cause the biggest impact to our communities. It’s a busy role, but I’m already amazed by the support I’ve received from our wider partners, businesses and members of the public.”

In September there were growing concerns related to youth disorder in and around Forres. Police Scotland launched targeted patrols in areas where incidents of anti-social behaviour had been identified, including Broom of Moy, Grant Park, Cluny Hill, the woods behind Forres Health and Care Centre, Leanchoil and Pilmuir Primary School.

PC MacDonald said: “The general complaints were that there were youths consuming alcohol and possibly using drugs, with no lights on bikes and making noise at unacceptable levels.

“The focus of the patrols, supported by our Special Constables, was to provide community reassurance and promote positive engagement with the young people. When we spoke to one group in particular, we explained how their noise travelled and interrupted some households, including those with young children.

“They said that they had not been aware and were happy to move to a more suitable area. We also gave safety advice and stressed the need for lights on bicycles to another group.”

More recently, the police were contacted about young people gathering in large numbers and leaving litter in woods at Sanquhar. The police and representatives from partners in the youth justice team, social work and Moray Council’s youth engagement team talked to the teenagers directly.

PC MacDonald said: “We discussed concerns about littering and potential drug and alcohol misuse. We highlighted the risks that broken glass poses to pedestrians and dogs being walked in the area, as well as the risks of drinking and drug-taking.

“We also spoke through personal safety measures and took some youngsters home to offer advice in the presence of their parents.”

PC MacDonald also highlighted fraud as a recent local concern, especially within more vulnerable communities. Last month, in response to a number of reported vishing fraud offences – when people are targeted by criminals using an internet telephone service claiming to be from their bank – she ran a social media awareness campaign.

She said: “Some of our elderly community may not routinely access social media so I looked for creative ways to reach them. Wiltshire Farms distribute leaflets to customers alongside meals they provide to elderly people across Moray, while further leaflets were distributed to local GP surgeries, post offices, paper shops and local pharmacies.

“Supported by trading standards officers, I also carried out drops at sheltered housing and residential areas.”

PC MacDonald is grateful for the support she has received in her new role.

She added: “Although there are clearly many more trials and hurdles to come as a result of the pandemic, I look forward to returning to a new normality and hope to continue to get out and about and meet more members of our community.”





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