New crime statistics prove we’re a city now

The multi-agency approach to demonstrate that Inverness really is a city has been declared a success following the conclusion of the Inverness Crime Festival.

After several weeks of murders, break-ins, and action against anti-social behaviour and teenage drinking, the Police have led the declarations that the festival was a resounding success, with crime in the city now firmly up on last year.

A spokesman for Northern Constabulary told us that the scene was set some months ago by the Vue Cinema cash machine theft, giving the Crime Festival a strong base to build on.  “Since then, we’ve been kept busy, and people are now talking about crime in the city a lot, which makes a change from the usual topics of traffic and old town streetscaping.”

The spokesman thanked numerous members of the public for their participation, and said it was great to see so many young people in the city getting involved.  “It’s not just teenagers who’ve played a part in the festival, but thanks to many of the Polish community being reported lately as buying alcohol for kids, plus of course the famous Battle of Academy Street during the Germany-Poland Euro 2008 match, it’s been a truly multicultural event too.”

Festival organisers are now aiming to identify further crimes throughout the city, beginning with the architecture and town planning departments of Highland Council.