CRIME levels have dropped rapidly in Merkinch over the last year, PC Alistair Stewart told the Community Council at their June meeting, but it would not do to become complacent, nevertheless. In the first three months of this year there had been a total of 271 crimes reported in the area of which 221 had been detected. This compared to 373 crimes (214 detected) in the same period of the previous year.
“Principally the problem now is vandalism, which is very difficult to detect. The multi-agency approach was making a massive difference, he said. “Everything is coming together nicely and it is reflected in the figures.”
But he warned that there was no room for complacency, and that the police still want people to tell them what is happening.

Earlier the new inspector on Inverness West, Insp Ian Arnott, dropped in to introduce himself to the MCC members. He assured them of his personal commitment and said that community councils were very important.

Flowers - Members said that the brackets for floral decorations were going up in Grant Street and were looking forward to seeing the flowers arriving.

Co-options - Three new members were co-opted on to the council - Margaret Ross of South Kessock Residents Association and Merkinch Playscheme, David Jardine of the Inverness Community Care Working Group, and Alistair Locke, also of SKRA.

Young Tenants - It was hoped that Lynda Lockwood would get some assistance in her excellent work as she had 109 young tenants on her books.

Environmental project - Dell McClurg reported that they had been visited by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Highland Council. They had spent two hours and been taken for a walk through the West Field after admiring the model croft.

Motorbikes in West Field - PC Stewart said that they had borrowed a trailer from the Tool Club and were going to take some of the bikers to Elgin or Ardersier to give them the opportunity of riding on a proper track. After that PC Stewart said they would prosecute them for breach of the peace if they kept driving in the West Field!

Next meeting - will be on Thursday 9th August in the Community Centre.