Launch of Operation Respect in Inverness
A long-standing initiative aimed at keeping Inverness a safe place to live, work and visit over the festive season has been launched.
Operation Respect begins on Thursday, 28 November, 2024 and runs until Tuesday, 31 December, 2024.
The operation sees agencies and local voluntary partners bring their wide ranging and varied skills together to tackle street disorder, anti-social behaviour, retail crime, violence against women and girls, fraud and scams, amongst other forms of criminality.
Operation Respect is also designed to provide assistance to vulnerable people, whether that is a result of mental health concerns, alcohol or substance abuse. It collectively aims to provide a safe environment and pastoral care to those who are in need.
We actively engage in proactive measures to ensure that the city is a safe place to be, whether you live and work in the city, are a visiting group enjoying our hospitality, or simply a lone person walking home at night.
Although Operation Respect is a Police Scotland initiative led by Inverness Area Command, it is 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 us to provide trained first aid teams walking within the city centre, along with combined police, paramedic and mental health practitioners on mobile patrols in a Mental Health Vehicle and responding to those in crisis.
There is also immediate access to pastoral care and a heightened level of stewarding within the city. This year we are partnering with additional agencies to provide a focus around youth activity throughout the campaign.
Inspector Emma Wright said: “We are once again preparing for a busy festive period. We are delighted to be working alongside partner agencies with a wide range of knowledge and expertise to keep people safe over the festive period in Inverness.
“The city has a vibrant atmosphere for shopping, entertainment, eating and drinking – we want this to shine through during the festivities and ensure that everyone has a very happy and safe celebration over this time.”
Participants in this year’s festive campaign are:
Police Scotland
Highland Council
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Scottish Ambulance Service
NHS Highland
BID Inverness
Highland Third Sector Interface
Highland Drug & Alcohol Partnership
Street Pastors
Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT Highland)
AbilityNet
Mikeysline
The Anchor – Cashback for Communities
Rokzkool
Community Justice Partnership
Trading Standards
The Discovery College - Centered Scotland
