Launch of new partnership group aimed at improving safety in city of Inverness

A new partnership group has been launched, entitled Inverness Community Safety Partnership (ICSP), to coordinate community safety work being done in the Inverness area.

The partnership, which includes members from both the public and private sector, including voluntary groups, is fundamentally governed by the Inverness City Committee of Highland Council. The group aims to provide a coordinated response to community concerns with the view to making Inverness a safer place to live, work and visit.

The group first formed at the start of the year, and work has already been completed, such as establishing a set protocol between the partners to formalise and improve information sharing, to name one example.

Chair of the Inverness Community Safety Partnership, Jim Ferguson of the Highland branch of Crimestoppers said: "The formation of the group means that we have a better mechanism to share information, and target our resources to get better results. In the past there has been a lot of positive work completed independently but we collectively feel that improving the way in which we work together by sharing information and targeting our resources will help us see better results that will continue to keep Inverness safe."

Partners included in ICSP, have already started work on current issues that have been brought to their attention, a priority issue being addressing anti social behaviour in the city centre. The partnership are working on improving the environment by bringing relevant agencies together and tackling challenges, one such example being the issues and perceived concerns surrounding the operation of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO). The group are working to improve the service that is provided to those within these residences, improve communication with management and residents within them and influence policy in respect of licensing and planning through working with relevant authorities.

Chief Inspector Jim Neil from Northern Constabulary spoke of the work that is currently being undertaken by the group: "A number of issues were identified in relation to HMOs, some real and some perceived, which required a multi agency response to further explore and find appropriate solutions, which the Inverness Community Safety Partnership is working on at the moment."

City Manager, David Haas said: "The Community Safety Partnership is part of the Councils commitment to ensuring that the community within the City is able to take ownership and influence decision making. The challenge posed by a city centre that is vibrant is not unique however the way the partnership is acting to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city centre will deliver results benefiting all."

The group are also working on a number of different issues and want to encourage the public that any concern raised through existing mechanisms, such as community councils or to any organisation involved in the partnership, will be looked at closely by the group.

Mike Smith, Inverness Business Improvement District manager said: "All businesses will welcome the new Inverness Community Safety Partnership. Its formation is an integral part ensuring the wellbeing of the community, it will enable business and public community safety concerns in the city to be focussed and addressed, ensuring that our city remains a safe and welcoming environment."