MERKINCH has seen improved business and community confidence, a drop in vandalism and significant reductions in housing transfer requests, thanks to the Improving Community Safety in Merkinch and South Kessock project.
And the project’s success was marked at Highland Council’s fourth annual Quality Awards last month when leader Chris Claridge, HC’s Inverness Area manager, took the Improved Customer Care Award.

Among the team’s initiatives are joint police and council action on crime reduction, through Operation Eagle,traffic management measures, CCTV, a concierge unit, dedicated operatives, environmental measures such as clearing out abandoned cars and anti-social behaviour orders. Well done, all concerned!

Pictured is David Kidd of the award’s sponsors Biggart Baillie handing over the engraved glass trophy to Dell McLurg, watched by, from left, Area Housing Service manager, Murray Cochrane, Housing chairman Cllr Ella MacRae, PC Alasdair Stewart, Shirley MacKenzie, Andy Little and Area manager Chris Claridge.