Incidents at the Church Street Wetherspoon’s in Inverness lead to more CCTV, drug taking on School Lane and in burial grounds also cited as major problem
The street with possibly more pubs, bars, and cafes than perhaps any other in the Highlands is to get more CCTV amid a rise in anti-social behaviour and drug taking.
After the riverside lighting project fell through it was decided that Church Street in Inverness would get more CCTV to assist the police with various incidents and act as a deterrent.
The Highland’s top cop recently reported that anti-social behaviour, disorder and violence, including alcohol and drugs offences rose by 28.8 per cent regionwide.
The street is a Mecca for those hitting the town and boasts some of the liveliest and best night spots in the city and continues to attract new investment in the night time economy.
But, as well as attracting those who want to enjoy themselves, it has also featured on the BBC’s Highland Cops for unacceptable behaviour by those who cannot hold their drink.
The specific area of concern is around Leakey’s Book Shop, Miele’s Gelateria and Wetherspoon’s Bar and School Lane and the graveyard - presumably next to the Old High Church.
Inverness Common Good Fund cash of £12,175 was originally for the riverside but planners felt it would be difficult to pass as it is a conservation area.
So the fund sub-committee decided that it would repurpose the cash, after taking into account “various requests”, towards additional CCTV.
The report stated: “During the last 12 months there had been various requests for additional CCTV to be placed within the Church Street area of the city.
“This was due to an increase in anti-social behaviour and drug use being prevalent in the area in and around the burial grounds and School Lane.
“The location was adjacent to the old town end of Church Street where various businesses such Leakey’s Book Shop, Miele’s Gelateria and Wetherspoon’s Bar were located.
“Discussions having taken place with the Lighting and Communications Manager along with the CCTV contractor in the Inverness BID, works had been identified that would enhance CCTV coverage in the area and act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour.
“Having this coverage would also support the Police with reports of incidents outside Weatherspoon’s Bar.”
Earlier the riverside lighting project had been ditched: “Ongoing discussions with planning colleagues had indicated that this project would not gain approval from planning due to the nature of the works being carried out within a conservation area, so the works could not be progressed”.