Success of Community Safety partnership in Moray highlighted in report
The success of a partnership aimed at improving community safety across Moray has been highlighted in a new report, as work continues on a new strategy for the next four years.
The Community Safety Annual Report outlines progress made during 2024/25 by Moray’s Community Safety Strategic Group; a partnership involving Moray Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Grampian.
Key developments included the expansion of Community Wardens from two to five officers, the launch of the Elgin Active Youth Engagement (AYE) Bus and continued partnership work to tackle antisocial behaviour and support vulnerable people.
During 2024/25, Community Wardens investigated 1,960 antisocial behaviour complaints and carried out more than 1,400 additional activities across Moray, including hotspot patrols, community engagement and wider partnership work. Their increased visibility was reflected in feedback from residents, who reported feeling safer in their communities alongside reductions in neighbour disputes, noise complaints and the number of fire-related incidents.
The Elgin AYE Bus, funded through the Elgin Neighbourhood Board’s Pride in Place funding and operated by Action for Children, also provided targeted support for young people in areas identified as antisocial behaviour hotspots.
Alongside the progress made, the report recognised ongoing challenges including environmental antisocial behaviour such as fly tipping, littering and dog fouling.
It comes as a new Community Safety Strategy is developed, covering the period to 2030.
Chair of Moray Council’s Housing and Community Safety Committee, Cllr Amber Dunbar, said: “This report demonstrates the positive impact partnership working is having across Moray communities.
“The expansion of the Community Warden service and initiatives such as the Elgin AYE Bus are helping to prevent antisocial behaviour, support young people and improve how safe people feel in their communities. It’s also important that we continue listening to local people as we develop the next Community Safety Strategy.”
NHS Grampian consultant in public health and chair of the Community Safety Partnership, Paul Southworth, commented: "Working together across different services and agencies makes a real difference to communities in Moray by bringing about meaningful change. Community wardens do a fantastic job of helping communities feel safe and the Elgin AYE Bus is tackling antisocial behaviour in a really supportive way. Prevention is always better than cure, and these changes all add up in terms of helping local communities thrive. We're looking to build on these success stories as the new Community Safety Strategy is developed."
Chief Inspector Andy Meikleham of Police Scotland added: “Community safety is strongest when local partners work together with the community to address the issues that matter most.
“The progress highlighted in this report reflects the commitment our officers, wardens and partner agencies across Moray to make communities safer, support vulnerable people and build public confidence.”
Area Commander Andrew Wright is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Senior Officer for Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. He said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) undertakes a wide range of community-focused activity across Moray, with a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and supporting vulnerable individuals. Working in close partnership with Moray Council, Police Scotland, NHS Grampian and third-sector organisations, SFRS plays a key role in identifying and reducing risk within communities, making a tangible difference to community safety and wellbeing.