Police praise Inverness public after gun stand off

POLICE Scotland today praised the reaction of local residents during yesterday’s major alert in Inverness following reports of shots being fired n the Hilton area of the city.

Picture: Police Scotland

At the height of the emergency local residents and children at a local primary were warned to stay indoors as Police officers, including an armed response unit, swooped in the Mackay Road area of Hilton yesterday afternoon.

A man was later detained in connection with the incident.

A spokesman for Police Scotland’s Highland and Islands Division today thanked local residents following the incident.

He said: “Officers and specialist staff will be in Hilton today to continue scene examinations and residents will see other Police activity ongoing. It is anticipated that the vast majority of this work will be completed today.

“The man detained yesterday evening remains in police custody and Police Scotland can confirm that no other person is being sought in relation to the incident.”

Chief Inspector Graeme Murdoch said: “The incident in Hilton yesterday was fast-moving with information coming to us from a number of different sources. The police response was immediate and appropriate in terms of ensuring the safety of individuals and the wider Hilton community. We are confident that was achieved yesterday afternoon and that there is no ongoing threat to the safety of people in Hilton as a result of this incident.”

He continued: “We understand that it is always an anxious time for any community when we have to deploy armed officers so openly in a built-up area. The deployment of armed police officers is not a decision we ever make lightly but they are a vital response in some incidents to minimise risks to the public. Communities in Inverness and the wider Highlands and Islands should be reassured that we have these highly-trained assets at our disposal.”

Chief Inspector Murdoch added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hilton community for their patience, cooperation and assistance in dealing with this incident. All of our officers report that they received a great level of support from residents in Hilton yesterday and this is much appreciated. The most effective response to incidents like this is not just an appropriate police response but also a positive community response and that is what we saw in Hilton yesterday.”