Inverurie’s weekend of unrest brings 32 charges

Police have now charged 32 people in connection with organised fights in the north-east last month.

Investigations are continuing into the disturbances which erupted across Inverurie in May.

The centre of the normally peaceful market town was taken over by gangs of youths between the evenings of Friday, May 5 and Monday, May 8 – with huge groups descending upon the railway station, Harlaw Road and the academy areas of the community.

Now, chief inspector Murray Main has reported an update on the situation to members of the Garioch Area Committee and confirmed that 32 people, all male, had been charged in relation to the weekend. He said: “There were no serious injuries, despite there being numerous calls from the public, but inquiries are still on-going into the incidents.

“So far, 32 people have been charged with anti-social behaviour – They are all male and all aged between

“We escalated our response to the disturbances”

14 and 21 years old.

“We escalated our response to the disturbances on the Friday and Saturday nights, into the Sunday and Monday.”

Members of the public described seeing huge groups of young people – some wearing balaclavas and bandanas –congregating in the streets of the town centre.

Police increased patrols over the weekend of unrest as the incidents escalated and also covered the towns of Kintore and Blackburn to prevent further disruption.

The heightened activity came on the day Inverurie Bid held a public meeting to rally support for plans to help the town “thrive and develop”.

Councillor Judy Whyte welcomed the news and added: “Inverurie has now become a Business Improvement District and we have been working closely with the police to bring Inverurie together.

“As part of the BID we can keep working for safety for everyone in the town.”