THE Highland Council and Northern Constabulary have been working closely together to launch a series of initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour in the South Kessock area. The joint action is intended to improve Community Safety, reduce levels of crime and enhance the attractiveness of the area to existing and new residents.

The police have extended Operation Eagle to the area, which will involve two Community Policemen working out of Council premises in Craigton Avenue and a crack down on anti-social behaviour including joyriding, vandalism, graffiti as well as targeting other criminal behaviour.

Superintendent Gary Sutherland, Area Police Commander, Inverness, said: "It is my firm belief that the only persons in South Kessock who should fear crime are the criminals. These criminals are very much the minority although their anti-social behaviour can cause misery for the many good people living in the area.

"It is these habitual criminals who will be targeted during the weeks and months ahead. The joint Police/Council action during this time will also focus on tackling the underlying causes of the problems to ensure that everyone enjoys the lasting benefits. I hope all the good people in South Kessock can work with us and pull together in support of this initiative to make the area much safer for all concerned."

The Highland Council’s Inverness Area staff together with local Councillor Peter Corbett and Area Housing Chairman, Councillor Ella MacRae, have been working closely with the police to identify action that can be taken by the Council to complement that of the police.

Council initiatives are aimed at improving the management of the South Kessock estate, including reducing the number of empty houses; speeding up repairs; tackling fly-tipping, broken fences and vandalism. Housing management staff will be based at Craigton Avenue to provide a local “one-stop shop” facility for local residents. Other Council initiatives include providing a rapid response team to tackle repairs and vandalism and providing more CCTV cameras.

In addition the Council will be pursuing Anti-Social Behaviour Orders against residents in South Kessock who are persistent trouble-makers and are causing significant nuisance to the majority of law abiding residents in South Kessock. The current policy of leasing empty houses will also be reviewed to see if more tenancies can be granted to families who will add to the community spirit and help reverse the falling school roll.

Councillor Corbett said: “I welcome the joint action proposed by the Council and the Police. The majority of residents in South Kessock are decent law-abiding citizens whose lives are being disrupted day-in, day-out by a small minority of anti-social residents. I hope that the joint action will make South Kessock a safer place to live and attract more families to fill the many empty houses in the area.”