bbcnews: Man arrested after homes evacuated in Inverness incident
A 61-year-old man has been arrested after a report of concern prompted a police cordon and the precautionary evacuation of several homes in the Hilton area of Inverness. The road closure and evacuations began at about 7: 00 p. m. ET on Wednesday, February 18; residents were later allowed to return and the road was reopened at about 8: 00 a. m. ET on Thursday, February 19. The arrested man has been charged and is due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Friday, February 20.
Police response and cordon on Mackay Road
Officers closed Mackay Road between Cauldeen Primary School and Cauldeen Road at approximately 7: 00 p. m. ET on Wednesday after a member of the public raised concerns for the welfare of an individual. A cordon was put in place and emergency services attended the scene to assess and manage potential risks.
The presence of emergency crews and the cordon were intended to secure the area while officers dealt with the incident. Several nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution while the situation was resolved. The closure affected local access in the immediate vicinity of the school and adjacent residential streets for a number of hours.
Residents allowed to return; suspect charged
Residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return to their homes once officers determined it was safe to do so. The road was reopened to traffic at about 8: 00 a. m. ET on Thursday, February 19, restoring normal access for commuters and local residents.
Police arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with the incident; he has been charged and is scheduled to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Friday, February 20. No further details about the nature of the charges have been released at this stage. Neighbourhoods affected by the cordon reported disruption overnight, but there were no immediate reports of injuries to members of the public.
Community impact and follow-up
Local residents described a sense of unease while the cordon remained in place, noting that precautionary evacuations and a visible police presence can be unsettling even when officers act quickly to restore normality. Authorities emphasised that the evacuations were carried out to protect the safety of people in nearby homes while they dealt with the incident.
Police have indicated that routine enquiries will continue as part of the ongoing process, and that any additional information relevant to public safety will be shared when appropriate. For now, community leaders and officials are focused on ensuring those affected receive any necessary support and that local services return to normal following the disruption.
The case will proceed through the local court system on Friday, February 20, ET, when the charged individual is due to appear before the sheriff court. Further updates are expected to follow legal proceedings and any subsequent police announcements.
