"It’s normally so quiet" Inverness residents react after man shot following stand off with police

Officers were called out to Polvanie View in Inverness around 3pm yesterday afternoon

Author: Liam RossPublished 1st Apr 2022
Last updated 1st Apr 2022

Highland residents remain in shock after an armed man involved in a confrontation with police was shot.

Officers were called out to Polvanie View in Inverness around 3pm yesterday afternoon following reports of concern for a person in a first floor flat.

The property was ablaze and eyewitnesses have told us the armed man wearing camouflage charged at police and was soon shot in the leg.

He was arrested, but also taken to Raigmore hospital for treatment.

In line with protocol, the incident is being investigated by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Officers attended at a property on Polvanie View in Inverness around 3pm on Thursday, 31 March, 2022, following a report of concern for a person.

"On attendance, the property was on fire. No-one was injured as a result of the fire and it was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and a number of neighbouring residents have had to be evacuated.

"During the incident a 40-year-old man was shot by the police. He has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been taken to Raigmore Hospital for treatment where he remains with serious injuries.

"As with any firearm and Taser deployment, the circumstances of the incident have been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC)."

Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett said: "We want to reassure the public that this incident is contained and there is no threat to the wider public.

"There will be extra patrols in the area over the coming days and anyone with any concerns should contact police.

"We would also ask anybody with any information or footage from the incident to get in touch.”

"I've never heard or seen anything like this in the area before"

Nearby resident Kirsty, who is also a new mum, says the situation was "pretty worrying" considering the amount of young children in the area

She said: "I was actually having a nap with my baby and my friend was phoning me because he was outside her window, so it was a bit of a shock to see the police, fire engine and other services.

"It was pretty worrying, my friend’s got a wee boy as well so we were worried about him and just even having a baby on the street and that sort of thing going on, it’s quite worrying.

"It was a bit scary.

"It’s normally so quiet, there’s never anything going on.

"I’ve never heard or seen of anything like this happen in the area before.

"I’m hoping it is a one off because the place is just full of kids and families."

Police are appealing to anyone with information on the incident to contact police via 101, quoting incident number 0793 of Wednesday, 30 March, 2022.

Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.