I WAS very pleased with the result of a recent court case following an incident which happened in South Kessock in the summer. What it showed residents is that it is worth while calling the police and making a complaint.

The message is clear to those who think they are above the law and the success of that prosecution has created an air of optimism in the South Kessock and wider Merkinch area.

Inverness Area Commander, Super-intendent Gary Sutherland, reaffirmed his commitment to clamping down on problem issues by setting up a squad of officers with a wide remit as part of the wider Operation Eagle. If a crime trend or problem is identified, the squad will concentrate resources to that trend or problem using high visibility uniform police on patrol and/or covert plain clothes officers.

The purpose of this type of operation is to identify problem areas and crime trends and come up with effective, long-term solutions. The squad, comprising both uniform officers and plain clothes detectives, will operate anytime anywhere in the Inverness area.

I would again urge you all to report incidents so that these can be addressed by the police and ultimately dealt with by the courts, making South Kessock and Merkinch a safer place to live.

Merkinch Community Beat Officer

A. Stewart