North police chief determined to decrease violent crime
Chief superintendent Julian Innes will not accept the level of violence in the Highlands
Violent crime in the Highlands has seen a 29% rise year-on-year, with sexual offences up almost a quarter (23%), while vandalism and fire-starting is also on the increase up 13%.
One positive has been a decrease in dishonesty crime - with police praising the response from the public - although shoplifting in Inverness has seen a climb.
Chief superintendent Julian Innes said: "Statistics tend to paint a picture, and as this year's gone on, crime has increased slightly compared to this time last year."
"However, when I looked at the figures compared to five year trend patterns, then overall statistics have improved and crime is falling. That said, we will see an increase in crime this year."
"The level of violence in the Highlands is not acceptable. We put a lid on things over the festive period and saw a slowing down, but we'll never prevent all violent crime"
"We had a look back at Christmas at every individual who'd committed a violent crime the previous year, and visited them. We had a chat about the consequences should another crime be committed and only one of those individuals re-offended"
Despite booze fueling much of the violent crime in the Highlands, the Chief Superintendent is unwilling to pass the blame on to pubs and clubs, who he says have been working with Police on tackling the issues:-