Highland Police Commander Delighted with first Year Of Police Scotland

1st April 2014

Highland and Islands Divisional Commander delighted with progress made during first year of Police Scotland.

The Divisional Commander for the Highlands and Islands, Chief Superintendent Julian Innes is delighted with the positive progress made during the first year of Police Scotland and has confirmed that crime continues to decrease.

Figures show that since the creation of the new single force, back in April 2013, crime has fallen by 5.6% with a 426 fewer victims compared to that of 2012-13.

One area under Police Scotland that has seen a dramatic reduction in numbers is violence, particularly serious assaults, which have fallen from 180 to 60, a reduction of 66%. These figures were revealed when the Scottish Police Authority Board Meeting took place in the Highlands last week.

Chief Superintendent Innes said: "Last year has been one of the most challenging, but also exciting times of my career. Crime has continued to fall and violence has been reduced.

"As we continue now into the second year of Police Scotland, there will be no decrease in our efforts to maintain this progress. With ongoing national and local campaigns we will look to target acts of violence through Operation Respect, serious and organised crime, particularly drug dealing, through Operation Ram, acquisitive crime through Operation RAC and travelling criminals and road safety through Operation Route."

Chief Superintendent Innes continued: "Local communities have told us what our focus should be and we have listened. Our four local policing plans for each of the Islands and the Mainland are progressing through the Local Authority Scrutiny Committees and will be published shortly. I am really pleased at the partnership approach between the police and the local Councils, and the progress we are all making to support local policing and drive improvement.

"Road safety and the focus on reducing serious and fatal road collisions have been highlighted as the number one priority. In response to this the number of road policing officers has been increased with a new trunk road policing unit created in Fort William.

"The investment of £4.6 million pounds in the new Fort William Police and Ambulance Station will ensure the best possible facilities for both Lochaber and the West Central Highlands. The shared service facility with the Scottish Ambulance Service is one example of forward thinking and I will be looking for more opportunities to work closer with partners next year.

"The Highland and Islands Division have worked well with the extra resources being brought into the area from support and specialist services. This includes Road Policing, Air Support, Dog Units, Mounted Branch, Criminal Investigation Teams and Rape & Domestic Abuse Teams.

"Of course none of this happens by chance and I'm delighted with the effort and dedication of our police staff, police officers, special constables and cadets. They have been focused on keeping people safe and their hard work and commitment to continuing to provide a high quality policing service has shown this to be true."