A long-standing initiative aimed at keeping Inverness a safe place to live, work and visit over the festive season was launched on the banks of the River Ness earlier today (21 November 2022).
Operation Respect sees a number of agencies and local voluntary partners pool together to tackle and prevent anti-social behaviour, disorder, retail crime and other forms of criminality.
Crucially it is also designed to provide help to vulnerable people – whether that is as a result of mental health concerns, alcohol or substance abuse – and allows a safe environment and pastoral care to anyone in need.
Leader of Inverness and Area Councillor Ian Brown attended today’s launch and he stressed that both he and Provost Glynis Sinclair were delighted to be supporting the return of Operation Respect to the city.
He said:
“Highland Council through Inverness Common Good Funding is fully supportive of Operation Respect and its partnership approach, which helps to keep Inverness city centre safe, attractive and welcoming with a vibrant and prospering economy for all to enjoy.”
Operation Respect partners actively engage in proactive measures to ensure that the city is a safe place to be, whether you live and work in the city, a visiting group enjoying our hospitality, or simply a lone person walking home at night.
While Operation Respect is led by Police Scotland’s Inverness area command, it is very much a partnership between organisations dedicated to providing expertise in multiple areas, contributing towards the wellbeing of those in our community.
The combined efforts of those involved have enabled the partnership to provide various strands of support, including trained first aid teams walking within the city centre, high-visibility policing, Scottish Ambulance Service support and mental health practitioners on mobile patrols who can respond to those in crisis.
There is also immediate access to pastoral care, a heightened level of stewarding within the city and, through café 1668, a safe place to sit and wait for your transport home.
Operation Respect begins on Friday 25 November and runs every Friday and Saturday until the last Saturday evening of the year- Saturday, 31 December.
Participants in this year’s festive campaign are:
Police Scotland, Highland Council, Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Highland, Inverness BID, Highland Third Sector Interface, Highland Drug & Alcohol Partnership, Street Pastors, Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT Highland), Criminal Justice Partnership, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
