Inverness councillor joins police on patrol, after raising concerns about parties taking place in public park
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AN Inverness councillor joined officers on the beat at the weekend.
Councillor Duncan Macpherson was invited to join two officers on mountain bikes in Inshes Park on Saturday night.
Cllr Macpherson, Inverness South ward, has raised a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour in the area.
Last month Cllr Macpherson found what he believed to be drugs paraphernalia in the park, after numerous residents complained about young people meeting up for parties after hours.
Cllr Macpherson said officers had taken his concerns seriously and he was pleased to join them on their patrol, he said: "Thanks to the Inverness police community beats team for coming to the city’s Inshes area on Saturday night on their newly issued police mountain bikes.
"This follows several reports of underage drinking, evidence of drug taking and the regular mass gatherings by youths, particularly at weekends, in and around Inshes Park."
He added: "There have also been reports of youngsters ‘playing chicken’ by deliberately jumping in front of moving vehicles on the roads around McDonald’s Restaurant at the Inshes Retail Park. If you are one of these children, or you know who they are – get them to stop doing it before there is a serious accident."
Cllr Macpherson continued: "The CCTV cameras at Inshes Park have been upgraded and are now fully functioning once again, after a spell of being out of service.
This is a joint initiative between the Inverness Community Policing Team and local ward councillors, and was met with approval by families and all of the law-abiding Inshes Park users and dog walkers that we spoke with throughout the popular Inshes Park on Saturday night.
After spending an hour and a half with officers, Cllr Macpherson said: "Fair play to the officers for getting out and about on Saturday night in a place that is constantly being reported to me, and the police. They spent two or three hours in the park.
"Police are sending out a strong message that anti social behaviour and the breaking of coronavirus rules will not be tolerated.
"I know that this will be the first of many patrols in the area.
"It’s all about engaging with the public and strengthening community policing," he added.
Related news: Highland councillor hits out after finding drugs paraphernalia at Inshes Park in Inverness
