Police Scotland Community Safety Partnership Report lists Forres area crimes

FRAUD, vandalism, sexual assault, and possession of illegal drugs were just some of the offences committed in the area during the last Police Scotland reported period.

Local policing sergeant Stephen Carmichael went over October’s Community Safety Partnership Report at November's meeting of Forres Community Council.

He said: “There have been a mix of crimes and we’ve had assistance from the public in dealing with many. Statistics show crime is down but fraud is on the rise.”

Chief inspector for Moray, Norman Stevenson, claimed October was an unpredictable month due to changes in Covid-19 restrictions.

He said: “We saw a steady increase in calls involving people with vulnerabilities. We must continue to improve and look for ways to protect them.”

There have been four reports of fraud, involving texts and phone calls from people purporting to be from banks and reputable companies. Complainers were misled into providing personal banking information or transferring money.

There were four reports of vandalism in Forres, including damage to two windows of homes and to a car. A further incident occurred at the police station where a man acted in a threatening manner then committed vandalism. Enquiry into the first three incidents is ongoing and the man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Foodstuffs were also thrown at a window but no damage was caused at a private residence in Forres.

There were two separate low level sexual assaults reported in public places in Forres. Two men have been charged and reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Domestic incidents reported in Forres and Kinloss have also been reported.

A man was charged with a number of offences after making threats to a member of the public then resisting arrest.

Other recorded crimes included a dog dangerously out of control, threatening behaviour and calls.

There were five incidents of charges in connection with possession of controlled drugs including cannabis, cocaine and heroin.

A series of reports of buildings being entered and stolen from were reported at the Findhorn Foundation. A man has been charged and reported. A further two thefts were reported in Forres and Aberlour, and counterfeit £50 notes were tendered for goods. Two bicycles were stolen from a garden shed and an insecure car was stolen, both in Forres where enquiries are ongoing.

A man was charged with driving without insurance at Alves, another stopped for drug driving and another for drink driving, both in Forres. A man was charged for using his mobile phone while driving in Forres. Three speeding offences were detected at Alves and three at Forres bypass. Police are also investigating an incident of failing to stop/report an accident in Forres.

Insp Stevenson said: “Road safety and road crime Operation CEDAR, involving the community policing team and road policing officers will run into December and compliment the national winter safe drive campaigns over the festive period.”

Insp Kerry Rigg of Forres community policing team confirmed officers have carried out targeted patrols in relation to speeding offences, as well as anti-social behaviour around hot spots in Forres.

She said: “Feedback from the community has been positive, however, we will not become complacent and will continue our concerted efforts to deter those involved in these offences.

“We have also seen a number of phishing offences being reported. This type of fraud involves members of the public (usually the elderly) being targeted by criminals claiming to be from their bank. The caller informs the victim of suspicious activity on their account and urges them to transfer money to a ‘safe’ account. This crime is becoming ever more prevalent and in response our local community officer will carrying out a leaflet drop to raise awareness.”