LISTEN: More violence on Inverness city centre streets

"One of them had a wooden stick which he was using as a weapon, frantically beating this other guy over the head or upper body" - MFR REPORTER BRYAN RUTHERFORD

Violence has erupted onto the streets of Inverness city centre overnight, just a day after Police Scotland promised to double its efforts to tackle anti-social crime.

Our reporter Bryan Rutherford witnessed a brawl between at least six young men as he was driving in the early hours of this morning.

He told MFR News: "It was quite frightening, suddenly having a gang of young men appearing in the middle of the road where I had to brake to avoid hitting them.

"This was on the corner of Tomnahurich and Kenneth Streets and one of them had a long, thick, wooden stick which he was using as a weapon, frantically beating this other guy over the head or upper body.

"I was hooting to try to startle them and make the violence stop.

"They moved off the road, and after pulling over and calling 999 I looked back and they were gone."

Listen to this morning's MFR News bulletins covering the story, click on the player above

The police were called to the incident just after 1am, and it's understood that at least three police units were sent to the scene, although officers could not locate the individuals.

ABOVE: a police van patrolling Inverness High Street yesterday afternoon.

Yesterday manager of Inverness Business Improvement District Mike Smith welcomed the announcement that the number of city beat cops was being doubled to eight officers who will be based in the centre.

He told us: "Having a safe and secure city does require proper policing, and firm policing.

"The police have reacted to our request. We've been pushing them, along with the Highland Council, to come up with a solution.

"We hope it will work, and we're very confident it will. If it doesn't, there'll be dialogue.

"If there are bits that need to be changed, then they will do so at the appropriate time."

Inverness BID had been under pressure from local businesses over concerns about the police response to incidents in the city centre.

A few weeks ago it was claimed that the force took two-hours to respond to a call for help from the owners of an Italian eatery where a gang of youths were causing chaos.

Before that a fight in broad daylight, which even stopped traffic just opposite Inverness Town House, went viral on social media after being recorded by a member of the public.

Since then 10-youths have been charged with offences relating to public disorder and reported to the relevant authorities.

It's understood that police officers spent at least 500-hours - equivalent to more than 20-days - on patrol in the centre of the Highland capital throughout September.

During this time 'a large number of incidents' reported in the city centre were tackled by the force, including shoplifting, alcohol and drug related activity, anti-social behaviour and disorder.

Among those crimes, Police Scotland claims 83-per-cent have already been detected and say that enquiries are ongoing in several other cases.

BELOW: On the MFR Facebook locals are commenting on their concerns...

In a statement yesterday Inverness area commander Chief Inspector Colin Gough said: "We are acutely aware of the importance of the city centre to Inverness and the rest of the Highlands.

"High visibility policing will continue in the area and additional resources have now been identified for realignment into the city centre and they will be embedded later this month.

"This will mean there is eight community beat officers based in the city centre to provide reassurance and to tackle any issues which may arise.

"This team will be supported by a City Centre Sergeant overseeing daily tasking and delivery of police business.

"I'm confident that this will be a sustainable model which will make a substantive difference to the city centre.

An ongoing MFR News Twitter poll shows around three-quarters of people taking part, or more than seven in ten people do not believe that Police Scotland has Inverness city centre crime under control.