18 charged with drug and anti-social behaviour offences in Aberdeenshire

Dozens of people have been charged by police in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and drugs offences in Aberdeenshire at the weekend.

Police targeted hotspots for violence in the area – arrested 18 people in total over Friday and Saturday nights.

In Inverurie two men aged 26 and 27 years of age were charged in connection with possessing Cannabis, while four men aged, 18, two aged 25 and a 32 year old were charged in connection with anti-social behaviour. A 21 year old woman was also charged in connection with unacceptable behaviour.

A 21 year old male was charged in connection with possessing Cocaine and other offences in Kintore.

In Huntly, a 43 year old male was charged in connection with possession of Valium while a 54 year old male was charged in connection with anti-social behaviour.

Two males aged 19 and 24 were charged in connection with drugs offences in Stonehaven after quantities of Cocaine and Ecstasy were recovered. Another 24 year old male was charged in connection with anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

In Portlethen, a 20 year old male and a 20 year old female were charged in connection with possessing Cannabis and Ecstasy.

Three males aged between 19 and 36 years of age were also charged in connection with anti-social behaviour at the Tarland Show on Saturday night.

Local Area Commander, Chief Inspector Murray Main said: "We recognise that identifying and tackling the root causes of crime and the issues that cause harm in the community, like drinking alcohol to excess or drugs misuse are a responsibility for both police and our partners.

"However, drinking to excess or taking illegal drugs can affect your mind, your self-control and can influence your behaviour. This can make you more vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime including assaults and thefts or committing crime.

"By working in partnership to promote measures that prevent violent crime, harm and disorder from happening in the first place, the safety and wellbeing of individuals and communities will continue to be improved.

"Our Safe Summer Campaign is ongoing across the country. In the North-east, we also have well-developed Weekend Policing Plans and highly visible operations with our partners across our cities, towns and villages to tackle violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We work closely with the licensed trade and others to implement measures that can reduce violence and anti-social behaviour, including education and diversionary work with young people.