Violent crime is falling in the Highlands according to new figures.
The latest quarterly statistics for April to June show a 35.6% reduction, compared to the same period last year.
Officers said the fall equated to 21 fewer victims than the 59 the year before.
Violent crime detection rates were also up by 32%.
Chief Superintendent Julian Innes, divisional commander, said the creation of a single policing service had enabled the force to build on best practice, improve its response and ensure equal access to specialist resources and expertise whenever it is required.
“The continued commitment and professionalism of police officers, special constables, police staff and partner agencies has helped to maintain a service that remains visible, accessible and responsive to the needs of our communities,” he said.
Councillor Graham Ross, Inverness West, who sits on the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee, said: “This is reassuring in terms of community policing but it also has implications when taking into account the requirements of armed policing. I just don’t think that it should be quite as visible.”
Fellow committee member, Janet Campbell, Inverness Central, said there was still a long way to go.
“We have major concerns about the high number of sexual crimes,” she added.
Reported sex crimes are down to 95 cases from 149 during the same period last year.
Other key reductions in the report included crimes of dishonesty – such as theft, shoplifting and housebreaking – which fell by 21.3%.
The number of people seriously injured in road accidents also fell by a third.