Serious violent crime has risen by almost 300% across the north in the last six months, it has been revealed.
The Highlands’ most senior policeman, Julian Innes, expressed his concern about an increase of more than 50 such incidents on the year-on-year period between April 1 and the start of October.
Serious assaults are classed as physical acts which result in significant blood spillage and damage such as the breaking of teeth.
Chief Superintendent Innes confirmed that the number of such incidents rose from the high 20s in the same six month period last year to more than 80 this year.
About three-quarters of such crimes are believed to take place behind closed doors, with the rest happening in public spaces.
The latest figures for the north represent a four-year high for the region.
Chief Superintendent Innes said he was “less than happy” with the recent trend, adding: “Between April 1 and October last year we were in the high 20s and now we are into the 80s – so a 50-plus increase.
“That is not a trend that I welcome in the Highlands. We would have to go back to probably four years ago when we were in the low 100s as a figure for a comparison. This is very unusual for us.
“If we have a look at the five-year trending for serious assaults, the average is low 80s, so we are running in line with that, which is not good and certainly not good when looking at the level last year. I am never going to be satisfied with that as divisional commander.
“I can not explain why people are choosing to lift their hands and resolve their differences through acts of violence.”
Chief Superintendent Innes confirmed that police will be ramping up their efforts to clamp down on serious assaults in both private and public spaces in the weeks running up to Christmas.
There will be a higher police presence in open public spaces, pubs and clubs, and known violent offenders will be closely monitored to prevent and reduce the number of incidents occurring indoors.
The move is part of the force’s Operation Respect initiative, a multi-agency partnership approach to reducing the negative effect of anti-social behaviour, violence and crime.
Chief Superintendent Innes added: “What we are doing at this stage of the year is working up plans for the festive period. We know there is significantly more alcohol consumption which leads to more violence and we are going to try and do something about that.”