Home   News   Article

Concerns Elgin bus station becoming a no-go area


By Hazel Lawson Local Democracy Reporter

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Elgin bus station.
Elgin bus station.

A meeting has been held amid claims that Elgin bus station is becoming a no-go area for passengers on Friday and Saturday nights.

The problem is said to have become worse over the last month with groups of youths from outside the town gathering in the area and causing disruption, shouting and fighting.

A working group including head teachers, the police, Stagecoach and other organisations met this week to discuss the issue.

The situation was also discussed at Elgin Community Council on Tuesday.

Jack Wright, operations manager with Stagecoach, stated that young people behaving badly was becoming a "really big problem".

He said: "There’s been fighting and the police have come down the last three weekends.

"It’s very much young people from Keith, Forres and Buckie congregating on the High Street.

"Many have no means of paying fares and they know we can’t leave them behind.

"We’ve had drivers not coming into work because of what’s happened at the weekend. It can’t continue.

"On a Friday and Saturday nights it’s not a nice pace to be.

"It’s coming to an issue now where people do not want to be in the bus station.

"The only way we’re going to beat it is by working together."

Police Scotland confirmed they had received reports of anti-social behaviour in the town centre, Alexandra Road and Cooper Park.

Inspector Neil Morrison from the Elgin community policing team said officers were continuing to carry out patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community and talk with teenagers.

He added: "I stress that the vast majority of young people do not come to the attention of police.

"However, we know that a small minority do sometimes become involved in anti-social behaviour and their actions can have a negative impact on the lives of local residents and that of their peers.

"We are committed to encouraging people away from this kind of behaviour and will take appropriate action where incidents are reported and offenders identified.

"I would also urge parents and guardians to meaningfully support us by making sure you know where your children are, who they are associating with and what they are doing."

A spokesperson for Moray Council said a wellbeing partnership group meeting was held on Tuesday with head teachers from Forres and Keith attending.

The spokesperson added: "A multi-agency, community-focussed action plan is being developed and another meeting is planned for before the summer holidays."

Anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour is encouraged to call the police on the 101 number.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More