Elgin Bus Station experiences surge in anti-social behaviour

Elgin Bus Station has experienced a surge in anti-social behaviour according to freshly-revealed figures.

The results of a Northern Scot Freedom of Information request sent to Police Scotland, show that there have been 52 instances of common assault and threatening or abusive behaviour over the course of 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The figure is significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels where from 2014 to 2019 there were 30 incidents at the station over a significantly longer period of time.

The results show a large spike in 2022 with 17 incidents alone. In January of that year the Scottish Government introduced the free bus travel scheme across Scotland allowing anyone aged five to 21 to apply.

Although the ages of the perpetrators are not known, the scheme has been cited as one of the reasons for the rise with the station being branded a “no-go area” in June 2022 shortly after its introduction.

The number has remained high in the years since with 15 in 2023 and 20 in 2024.

Unite the union called for sanctions on the scheme in the aftermath of bus driver Keith Rollinson’s death in February last year.

Mr Rollinson, a 58-year-old bus driver from Elgin, died after being attacked at the station by a then 15-year-old.

The union also outlined a 15-point “bus safety road map” urging the Scottish Government to work with them and bus companies to ensure safety around bus stations.

A Unite spokesperson said at the time: “Unite has set out a road map which would significantly enhance safety and it is one that could be implemented immediately.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that proper measures are in place to protect bus workers.”

The union told The Northern Scot that its position has not changed.