Easing of lockdown in Highlands 'in hand' says safety partnership
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Councillors raising concerns at the Highland Community Safety Partnership on the easing of lockdown restriction were told matters were in hand with police.
While not wanting to pre-empt any national announcement on regualtions that will come into force, the area's chief inspector Mairi Macinnes said the reopening of bars and restaurants would be treated along similar lines to the festive campaigns undertaken by officers.
Councillor Duncan Macpherson, Inverness South, said the community had raised concerns with him around the large number of people who would want to go into the city centre to enjoy "quite rightly" everything that was on offer.
"But," he said, "what we don't want are scenes like we saw last year that in one case led to a brawl in the city centre.
"People want to enjoy the city without witnessing ugly scenes."
After the meeting a police spokeswoman said: "We fully recognise the impact the restrictions have on people’s lives, however, it is clear that significant sacrifices are vital to help suppress the spread of coronavirus.
“The chief constable has made it clear that our approach throughout the pandemic has not changed. Police Scotland officers will continue to support people to follow the regulations and encourage them to take personal responsibility."
She continued: “People should not leave their homes unless for essential purposes. The best way to stay safe is to stay at home.
"We have increased patrols in our communities to explain the regulations and to encourage people to do the right thing.
"Where officers encounter wilful breaches they will act decisively to enforce the law.
“The vast majority of people have stepped up to take responsibility and our determination and collective effort to tackle this virus must now continue in the difficult times ahead.”
She said the police would be working in partnership with other agencies to reinforce the Operation Respect initiative that has been in place for a number of years in Inverness.
Read more about police initiatives.
