These formed the basis of the final police report given by burgh Inspector Donald Thomson at this month's meeting of Forfar Community Council.

Inspector Thomson stated there had been a number of issues with youth calls in the town, but over the last few weeks there had been an emergence of what appeared to be "a bit of a gang culture".

"I don't know if anybody will remember the Young Mental Shade but it has made a re-emergence in the last few weeks.

"They have been beating up various individuals and there is a rumour there is an initiation ceremony going on at the moment.

"We are trying to stamp down on this; we know the main individuals involved and are in the process of showing them a yellow, if not a red card.

"It is unacceptable that people can't walk in Forfar of an evening without a group of thugs jumping on them for what can only be described as 'a kicking'.

"We are keeping on top of this and those involved should take a warning. We won't be dealing with this lightly, the full remit of our powers will be used to deal with it and it will be nipped in the bud."

Another area highlighted by Inspector Thomson was the work which had commenced at Langlands Primary School.

A number of children had been going into the building site, breaking windows and going into the school premises.

Asbestos

He stated there was a quantity of asbestos which had to be removed from the site and he urged children to stay well away (see separate stor).

There had been a number of incidents of bogus workmen calling in the area, generally at the homes of the elderly.

A number of significant arrests had been made but he added this was a perpetual problem.

"I would ask people to be on their guard - ask for identification, don't open the door unless you have the door chain on, if you have one, and if you have any doubts phone the police or the company they purport to represent."

He reported on a number of cases of diesel thefts, ranging from 200 to 2,000 litres, from large building concerns.

"There will be at least a Transit, if not a bigger vehicle involved, so if anyone sees activity in and around an area where there a number of lorries parked overnight, we would appreciate a call."

Shoplifting

Shoplifting continued to be a problem in Forfar - with meat, cheese and vodka the chosen items - and there was also an on-going problem with discarded drugs paraphernalia.

Twelve needles had been found in the last week in the Hornie park, where children play.

"This is a plea to people's better nature - if you are going to throw needles out, then don't do it in a public area.

"There are facilities available from chemists for the disposal of needles.

"If people have any problems with needles they should call the police or the council and we will remove them - they should certainly not pick them up themselves."

Information cards are now handed out by the police in areas where drug litter is found.

The cards offer advice on drug litter, what to do if you find a needle, if you injure yourself with a used needle, if you use needles or if you have information on drug dealers.

He went on to warn female shoppers in supermarkets to keep an eye on their handbags and not to leave them unattended after reports of one handbag being stolen in this way in a local supermarket.

He also spoke of the success of the two Blue Light discos organised by the police in the town which had been attended by between 120 and 130 youngsters on each occasion.

"There has been a ripple affect in that the under age drinking after we have had these events has reduced.

"Hopefully those involved are finding there is an alternative attraction."

Inspector Thomson was attending his last meeting of the community council before taking up a new post with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland as national co-ordinator for Freedom of Information and Data Protection in Glasgow,

Speaking of his new appointment, he said the decision to move had not been an easy one to make.

"Although there is promotion involved, I have really enjoyed my time in Forfar. I was back at the front line of policing in Forfar, having been stuck at headquarters for far too many years; it was a difficult decision for me.

"I will have many happy memories of Forfar - it has been very good to get back to the front line of policing and that is what it is all about. All this Freedom of Information, Data Protection and all the rest of it is all about helping people and making their lives more bearable."