A schoolboy has been suspended for taking drugs –and others were searched for substances – as police stepped up a campaign in an Aberdeenshire town yesterday.
Staff found drug paraphernalia on a 16-year-old boy at Inverurie Academy and suspended the pupil for being under the influence.
Separate lunchtime incidents followed where police stopped and searched youths in the town centre, but found only tobacco on one boy.
A police spokeswoman said last night that a 56-year-old man was also “given advice” regarding his behaviour, although she confirmed that no charges were brought.
Concern over youth activity has been rising in the town in recent months.
In May, the town was taken over by gangs of youths – with huge groups congregating at the railway station, Harlaw Road and the academy areas.
Ashley Wilson, Inverurie Bid (business improvement district) manager and the parent of two pupils at the school, said of the incidents yesterday: “More needs to be done, there should be absolutely zero tolerance and I think the school have done the right thing by excluding the boy involved.”
Inverurie councillor Neil Baillie added: “The school has a good working relationship with the authority and I am fully appreciative of its efforts to prevent this from happening again.
“There are outside influences coming to the town and we need to strive to help our young people by educating them about drugs and other substance misuse.”
Sergeant Sandra Crighton, of the Garioch community policing team, said: “Following some concerns from retailers and local residents regarding nuisance, antisocial behaviour and drug misuse in and around Inverurie town centre, during Tuesday, October 3, officers undertook a mixture of high visibility and plain clothes patrols in the area to address any issues.
“Those spoken to included a small number of juveniles, youths and a 56-year-old male who received advice regarding his behaviour.
“We will continue to give attention to the area over the coming days and weeks.
“I’d ask anyone with concerns relating to anti-social behaviour or drug dealing to contact police on 101 or, if you’d prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass the information to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800555111.”
An Aberdeenshire council spokeswoman added: “We can confirm that we take discipline and the security of our young people very seriously.
“As a school, we work closely with our community policing colleagues and will continue to do so.”
