Police Scotland launch Operation respect initiative in bid to help people in Inverness stay safe over Christmas and the festive period

A long-standing festive season initiative aimed at keeping Inverness a safe place to live, work and visit has been launched.

This year’s Operation Respect will begin on Thursday, November 28 and run until Tuesday, December 31.

It sees agencies and local voluntary partners bring their wide-ranging and varied skills together to tackle street disorder, anti-social behaviour, retail crime, violence against women and girls, fraud and scams, among other forms of criminality.

Operation Respect is also designed to provide assistance to vulnerable people, whether that is a result of mental health concerns, alcohol or substance abuse. It collectively aims to provide a safe environment and pastoral care to those who are in need.

Police Scotland actively engages in proactive measures to ensure that the city is a safe place to be, for locals, employees and visitors enjoying Highland hospitality, or simply a lone person walking home at night.

The initiative, led by the force’s Inverness Area Command, pools the talents of organisations dedicated to providing expertise in multiple areas.

Those combined efforts have provided trained first aid teams walking within the city centre, along with combined police, paramedic and mental health practitioners on mobile patrols in a Mental Health Vehicle, responding to those in crisis.

There is also immediate access to pastoral care and a heightened level of stewarding within the city.

This year the police are partnering with additional agencies to provide a focus around youth activity throughout the campaign.

Inspector Emma Wright said: “We are once again preparing for a busy festive period. We are delighted to be working alongside partner agencies with a wide range of knowledge and expertise to keep people safe over the festive period in Inverness.

“The city has a vibrant atmosphere for shopping, entertainment, eating and drinking – we want this to shine through during the festivities and ensure that everyone has a very happy and safe celebration over this time.”

Participants in this year’s festive campaign are:

Police Scotland

Highland Council

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Scottish Ambulance Service

NHS Highland

BID Inverness

Highland Third Sector Interface

Highland Drug & Alcohol Partnership

Street Pastors

Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT Highland)

AbilityNet

Mikeysline

The Anchor – Cashback for Communities

Rokzkool

Community Justice Partnership

Trading Standards

The Discovery College - Centred Scotland