A MAN ARRESTED in connection with an assault in Forres was one of almost 100 who were picked up last week in a major operation by police throughout the north east.
Under Operation Pine officers arrested 96 people in total for crimes including attempted murder – with officers travelling as far as Spain to make an arrest.
The ‘focussed action’ was undertaken to clear warrants for outstanding crimes, failure to appear in court or non-payment of fines – with 134 warrants cleared throughout the north east and £4000 in unpaid fines being collected.
Sergeant Mike Stobie from the Divisional Alcohol and Violence Reduction Unit (DAVRU) said: “It is information from the public that helps us to make arrests – so my message to the public would be that, if you know someone wanted by the police, then please let us know. This is a key part in preventing further violent offences.”
Arrests made under the operation included for an attempted robbery, 22 assaults and four for the carrying of offensive weapons.