Wick crime stats show violence, drugs and drink driving are still major issues

At a community council meeting in Wick on Monday evening, police stats for last month reveal violence, drug possession and drink driving as key issues in the area.

The information was shared at a meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) and the report was collated by Police Sergeant Brian Hamilton at the station on Bankhead Road.

It was outlined that Wick has “seen a steady month with no drop in assaults, drugs possession offences or drink driving offences” over February 2025.

PS Hamilton shared figures at the RBWCC meeting that were collated up to February 25 showing 31 recorded offences in Wick in February 2025. There were 15 of these offences which were public order related; 3 dishonesty offences; 3 assaults; 3 drugs offences; 1 sudden death and 5 road traffic offences – 2 of which were drink or drug driving.

“As well as this there were numerous mental health and concern calls. There were 106 incidents reported to police in February 2025 for Wick.”

Under the heading of ‘Ward and local policing plan priorities’ the police document shared six main areas focussed upon, including: protecting people; reducing antisocial behaviour; reducing violence; tackling substance misuse; making our roads safer; and tackling serious organised crime.

Activities conducted over the reporting period to support those priorities stated that “the above figures show that violence remains steady” and that “regular patrols of Wick have been carried out and reports of regular anti-social behaviour from the public have directed these patrols to regular areas where this behaviour is worst”.

The report also states that drugs misuse remains steady and officers are regularly carrying out searches of persons displaying suspicious behaviour.

In a section marked as key messages, the report states that “there were 18 persons arrested and brought into custody during February”.

“Two new probationers have started work in Wick and have settled in well. We expect two [or] three further probationers to start with us in April/May.”

Police Scotland recently published crime stats for a six-month period last year (April to September) stating that teens as young as 14 were detected with weapons and drugs by police stop-and-search officers in Caithness.

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