‘I heard screaming’: Injured man taken to hospital after ‘disturbance’ in Inverness

Gilbert Street in the Merkinch area was blocked off for several hours as police carried out enquiries at the scene.

By Bailey Moreton & Alberto Lejarraga

January 15 2024, 3:59 pm

A heavy police presence remains at the scene at Gilbert Street near the River Ness

Police closed a street in Inverness for several hours today following a “disturbance” which left a man in hospital.

Officers confirmed that an incident took place at Gilbert Street near the River Ness at around 2.25pm this afternoon.

The man – whose age is unknown at this time – was taken to Raigmore Hospital where he is receiving treatment.

A stretch of the road was cordoned off, with police officers remaining on scene until around 7:30pm when the tape was lifted.

A stretch of Gilbert Street in Merkinch, Inverness was closed after an incident on Monday afternoon. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

Detectives were seen searching the bins outside a block of flats near where the incident took place. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

‘I heard screaming’

One resident, who does not want to be named, said: “I was at home ready to go to work and I heard my neighbour screaming outside.

“I heard someone saying ‘he has a knife’.”

Gilbert Street in Inverness was cordoned off for several hours. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

Another said they saw someone crying “help me, help me” with an apparent head injury.

Another resident, who wanted to stay anonymous, said he was “looking to move out of the area” because of an increase in anti-social behaviour, including drug use.

One man has been taken to hospital. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a disturbance on Gilbert Street in Inverness around 2.25pm on Monday, 15 January.

“One man has been taken to Raigmore Hospital for treatment and enquiries are ongoing.”

Numerous police officers and vehicles remained at the scene today while enquiries were carried out. Eye witnesses also saw police dogs in the area, and officers searching through bins.