Cops are hoping school combats teens in trouble
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POLICE have contacted Forres Academy in an effort to stop teenagers disrupting activities at Forres Town Hall.
New local Inspector Keli McPhail was informed by Forres Community Council that a group of youths have been messing around the building for some time and she confirmed police have been investigating the issue.
Insp McPhail said: "It was advised that it appeared to be three boys that were causing most of the problems. I advised that complainants should call in when the problems are ongoing as then we have a chance of identifying who it is. If the children were identified then we could speak with them and their parents in an effort to educate them about their behaviour."
She added: "I have spoken with Forres Academy and made them aware so they can chat to the children. It may be, from a joint approach, we are able to stop it happening."
Forres Area Credit Union (FACU) chairwoman and Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) director Lorna Creswell initially reported the issue in 2017 when FACU moved next door to the town hall.
She said: "Two policeman looked at the area as youngsters had jumped from the back town hall steps on to FACU's roof. They said they would monitor but there was a staff change."
FACU development manager Debbie Herron confirmed there have been issues with young people - mostly males - entering the town hall and causing disruption since last summer when the trust took over the building.
She said: "The police advised us to report any incidents - the hall user groups will call 101 if needed. We are installing CCTV and hoping to work with local agencies and organisations to address the problem. However, we would like to encourage people to come and talk with us and see what we can do together to provide what is needed locally."
