INVERCLYDE'S police commander today moved to reassure the public following two separate gun crimes in a week.

Chief Superintendent Alan Murray was responding to concerns expressed in the community and by local councillor Tommy McVey.

He has vowed to continue putting additional resources into the area and keeping up a high profile police presence following the drive-by shooting in Brachelston Street last week and separate firearms recovery in Wren Road just two days later.

The police commander has told Cllr McVey that he understands and shares his concern that local people need to feel protected at this time.

He also revealed that extra officers have been drafted into the area to help.

Chief Supt Murray said: "We are currently getting significant national support in terms of investigative resources and additional uniformed officers.

"We will be deploying public reassurance patrols and will continue to focus on the areas you mention for as long as required. "

The shooting and handguns recovery both took place within Councillor McVey's ward.

He is also the convenor of the Inverclyde police scrutiny board.

In his correspondence with Ch Supt Murray he asked for assurances that area commander Chief Inspector Debbie Reilly would be given the resources she needed.

Councillor McVey added: "The safety of Inverclyde residents is an absolute priority.

"I share residents' concerns regarding the two very serious incidents which have taken place in the last week or so.

"As an elected representative and also as convenor of the police and fire scrutiny committee, I have been in contact with Police Scotland senior management to seek assurances that they will be providing additional resources to our local commander to deal with these matters, to protect Inverclyde residents and investigate these very serious incidents."

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