Seven people charged in police blitz on anti-social behaviour

A number of people have been charged as the result of a weekend blitz on anti-social behaviour in Stonehaven.

Uniformed and plain-clothed officers from the Kincardine and Mearns community policing team were involved in the operation on Friday and Saturday.

Their aim was to ensure proper checks and processes were in place at licensed premises, as well as targeting anti-social and drugs offences.

Police Scotland said seven people were charged over the course of the two days.

They included three men, all aged 19, who are being reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with an alleged assault.

Two other men – both aged 33 – were charged in relation to the alleged possession of controlled drugs.

Another two were charged in relation to minor anti-social behaviour offences and issued with fixed penalty notices.

Six people were stopped and searched in the hunt for drugs or offensive weapons, while 38 visits were made to licenced premises throughout the area.

PC Reegan Watson, from Stonehaven police office, said: “This has given our local policing team a more focused opportunity to continue working with local businesses to help combat anti-social behaviour and drug issues in Stonehaven and the surrounding area, particularly in relation to the night-time economy at the weekend.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour is a focus for us day in day out, but by carrying out operations like this we want to send a clear message that antisocial behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.”