Police In Highland Target Commercial Vehicles In New Approach To Fight Crime

26th September 2014

Two day multi-agency operation to combat doorstep crime carried out in Inverness and Fort William.

As part of ongoing efforts to help keep people safe from doorstep crime and its associated criminal activity, on Wednesday 24 September and Thursday 25 September 2014, officers from Police Scotland, VOSA, SEPA and Highland Council Trading Standards, carried out a high visibility operation in both Inverness and Fort William.

This operation saw a large number of commercial vehicles being stopped and checked by officers from the various agencies. The operation aimed to combat those in our communities who use their employment/business activities to commit offences. Such activity impacts on employees, legitimate businesses, the environment and the general public of the Highlands.

During the operation a number of offences were detected which included drugs possession, road traffic offences, trading practices offences, environmental offences and benefit fraud. A number of people will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.

As a result of the two day operation twelve vehicles were immediately prohibited from the roads due to their dangerous condition.

Members of the public who were spoken to during this operation are thanked for the co-operation and patience.

Police Scotland will continue to work with partner agencies to detect and deter those involved in targeting the vulnerable public with their bogus-type workmen practices.

If anyone has information relating to any individual involved in bogus-type working practices they are urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

17/3/2026 : Other Public Services

Property and violent crime down 42% since 2008

Total levels of property and violent crime have fallen by 42% since 2008-09, according to the latest Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS).   The SCJS is a national survey of almost 5,000 people across Scotland which allows people to share their experiences and perceptions of crime, including incidents not reported to police.  

6/2/2026 : Other Public Services

 
CNC supports Police Scotland in £7.1m cannabis seizure at Wick

CNC supported a Police Scotland-led operation in Wick that uncovered a sophisticated cannabis cultivation worth £7.1m, resulting in seven arrests and charges.   Cannabis with an estimated street value of £7.1 million has been discovered at a derelict former school in Wick following a Police Scotland-led investigation supported by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC).  

4/2/2026 : Other Public Services

 
Police Numbers Reducing Gradually

Scotland's Chief Statistician has published statistics on Police Officer Quarterly Strength, which gives the number of full-time equivalent police officers employed by Police Scotland.   The key findings of the statistics are: there were 16,416 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers in Scotland on 31 December 2025.  

6/11/2024 : Local Authority

Police - Area Performance Report to Caithness Area Committee on 11 November

A report by the police to the Caithness area committee on 11 November will allow councillors to discuss a range of issues.   Chief Inspector Calum Smith - Area Commander (North Highland Area Command) sets out the crime related figures up to June 2024.  

5/11/2024 : Other Public Services

 
Police Scotland Urged To Review Its Commitment To Road Policing

A reduction in police activity targeting the most common causes of fatal crashes has been identified as a key factor affecting Police Scotland's ability to keep people safe on the nation's roads.   A new report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland notes that since 2020 the total number of people killed or injured on Scotland’s roads has increased each year.  

2/9/2024 : Other Public Services

 
A836 In Caithness - Average Speed Cameras Go Live Today Monday 2nd September

Police Scotland's North Safety Camera Unit are now operating average speed cameras on the A836 between Reay and Thurso with offences being progressed from Monday 2nd September.   In partnership with the Scottish Safety Camera Programme and the Highland Council, the location was identified as having speed concerns and increased traffic volumes, both of which are potential ongoing road safety challenges.  

3/12/2023 : Other Public Services

 
Visiting relatives and friends this Christmas? Make sure your home is safe AFTER DARK

Consider carefully what you are putting on social media, especially if you are staying away to visit friends and relatives this Christmas.  Be wary of posting photographs of Christmas parties that contain images of high value jewellery.  

23/9/2023 : Other Public Services

 
POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT - CAITHNESS AREA

Would you like to join the Police? Would you like to live and work in the Caithness area? Police Scotland is actively recruiting good quality and eligible candidates specifically for the Caithness area.   We are taking applications now for Police Constable / Special Constable Entry for future intakes during 2023/2024.  

2/7/2023 : Other Public Services

£74m Police Budget Cut Will Make Communities Less Safe

UNISON, the union for police staff, says Scotland's police budget cut will see even more crime going unreported and crimes not being fully investigated.   The union says around 230 police staff could be cut, including fingerprint examiners, forensic examiners, 999 call handlers, custody staff, high-speed driving instructors, cybercrime experts, payroll, HR and IT staff.  

19/1/2023 : Other Public Services

 
New Police Commander For Highland And Islands Division Takes Oath

The new Highland and Islands divisional commander will take up post having been sworn in as a Police Scotland officer.   Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone welcomed and thanked Chief Superintendent Rob Shepherd during a ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Monday, 16 January 2023, overseen by Justice of the Peace Gillian Thomson.