Motorist's attack on cyclist is one of the incidents listed in the Forres crime report for January

DRIVING offences dominated a relatively quiet first month of the year for Forres Police.

So-called road rage, drink driving, driving someone else's car without permission and careless driving were some of the crimes listed over January in the Moray West Community Safety Partnership report for Forres Community Council.

Police Inspector Andrew Meikleham said: "Please continue to contact myself or the Forres, Lossiemouth and Speyside Community Policing team if there are any issues you wish to raise or discuss."

A man was charged with assault and vandalism after a “road rage” incident. A cyclist was approached, punched and kicked to the head and body before the man damaged his bike before driving away. A report will be submitted.

A man was held in police custody for court after being traced for potentially driving under the influence of alcohol. As well as being charged with road traffic offences, he will face charges of resisting arrest, as well as threatening and abusive behavior after being continually aggressive and violent towards the police.

There was one report of shoplifting and/or attempted theft in the Forres area during January. Enquiries are ongoing.

There were four reports of fraud in the area relating to: a false email from 'Evri' whereby the victim input his details on a scam website and money was later taken from his account; an online purchase of a toothbrush that was never received and the phone numbers on the website not connecting; and a fraud via PayPal where an account was used to make online purchases.

A woman was reported to the Procurator Fiscal and had the vehicle she was driving seized after a proactive stop by Forres officers. She was charged with having a defective light and no valid insurance as well as being in possession of cannabis. Further enquiry revealed she did not have permission from the owner to drive the vehicle so she will also be reported for 'take and drive away'.

A man was also charged and reported for careless driving after failing to negotiate a bend and striking a tree. He admitted that he had been struggling to keep his eyes open after driving whilst fatigued.

Forres Police Station public counter is open from 8.15am-4pm Monday-Thursday and 8.15am- 2.45pm on Fridays. The police can also be contacted via: ForresCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk; 101 – Non emergency; 999 – Emergency; Twitter ('X') - @MorayPolice.