Calls for Moray vandals to be "properly punished" as figures reveal over £81,000 of damage to Moray Council properties
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LOCAL councillors have raised "serious concerns" over "significant" costs that are being caused by vandalism in Moray.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that vandalism to council properties over the past two years has cost the local authority over £81,000.
The response revealed that 300 incidents of vandalism took place, with 165 in 2022-23 and a further 135 so far in 2023-24.
The highest number of incidents were concentrated in Buckie where there were 81 acts of vandalism.
There were 75 incidents reported in Elgin over the same period.
Councillor Amber Dunbar (Elgin North, Conservative) and Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative) say they are "deeply alarmed" by the figures and have reminded offenders of the impact of their actions.
Cllr Dunbar said: "The costs of these incidents of vandalism against council properties in Moray is significant and it is clear that there are serious issues across our communities.
"The more than £80,000 that has been spent on repairing our council properties is money that could have been better used elsewhere to support public services in Moray.
"Those who carry out such acts must know that this is completely unacceptable and that they have a serious impact across Moray.
"This must be stamped out immediately, otherwise more buildings - including schools - will be at risk of being targeted."
Cllr Robertson added: "There must be a zero tolerance approach towards those who think it is appropriate to vandalise council properties and indeed any property in Moray.
"That is why the SNP Government must step up and fully fund overstretched local police officers to ensure these offenders can be properly punished for their actions."
Councillor Jérémie Fernandes (Elgin North, SNP) hit back at his fellow councillors, stating that a "decade of Tory austerity" is at the heart of the issue.
Cllr Fernades said: "As always, the Tories seem to overlook the fact that poverty and deprivation are at the core of the vandalism issue.
"After a decade of Tory austerity, the responsibility for the growing poverty levels in Moray rests squarely on their shoulders.
"Police Scotland is doing an impressive job addressing vandalism in our communities, and it's crucial that we offer them our full support.
"In the coming year, the SNP-led Scottish Government plans to increase the Scottish Police Authority budget by 5.6 per cent, allocating an additional £7.56 million to bolster frontline service delivery.
"This commitment comes despite the challenging budget situation the Scottish Government is facing stemming from the UK Government's failure to invest in public services."
