Inspector Anderson took up his new post in November, though his wife, son and daughter are still in the process of moving to the island from Oban – and he admitted that local people had wasted no time in bringing their concerns to his attention.

Speaking of the general public reaction he's received, he said: "Many members of the public have introduced themselves to me, then gone on to ask, 'Do you think something could be done about...' whatever the case happened to be, which I welcome. I'd encourage that at all times."

Presenter Mike Blair asked about the stigma which is often associated with being seen going into the police station to raise issues of concern – particularly in a small community, where gossip can be rife.

The inspector said he recognised that in any small community there will be elements of 'gossip', but that with more officers on the street and less time using vehicles, which could therefore be reserved for emergency purposes, the relationship between the service and public could be strengthened.

Amongst the changes Inspector Anderson is keen to make is to move away from the connotations associated with the term 'police force'.
"We've got to move away from the word 'force'," he said. "Police do more than just detect crime, so the word 'force' isn't always appropriate."

Mike also asked whether the police ever got frustrated with what they might see as lenient sentencing by the courts, but the inspector was diplomatic in his answer, saying only: "We do our part; we detect crime and follow due process, and after that it's in the hands of the Scottish Court Service."

The inspector also affirmed his support for Rothesay Sheriff Court amid concerns, raised last year, that the facility might fall victim to cutbacks, with cases heard on the mainland. "We're serving the community," he said, "therefore I believe it's important that the court remain in the community."

Inspector Anderson's predecessor, Macdonald Stephen, regularly raised concerns that the police were being inappropriately used to provide emergency care for sheltered housing residents; asked if this issue was still being looked at, the inspector said the police would always attend a matter of life and death, but were keen to investigate whether there were agencies better equipped to deal with that particular situation.

Asked about the recent publication of the public's 'policing priorities' on Bute - in which drug dealing, assault and violent crime, anti-social behaviour and speeding motorists came out on top - the inspector said: "These concerns have come directly from the public and we are currently trying to tackle these problem areas.

"We've been carrying out a variety of speed checks since the turn of the year, and this will definitely be an ongoing campaign.

"We had a recent drugs haul, which was a great success, but that doesn't mean we'll be resting on our laurels. This issue is one of our main priorities which we will be looking at and will continue to work on."

Crime prevention schemes remain in operation on the island, with bicycles owned by schoolchildren having been recently marked for identification, and advice offered on how to secure them properly against theft, while the police also continue to work alongside drug and alcohol awareness groups.

It is hoped that the inspector or one of his colleagues can appear on Bute FM each month as a means of keeping the community informed of current issues, concerns or offering advice.

"It'll be a way of reaching out to the public," he said, "letting them know we're aware of problems, and really showing that we're working in the community, for the community."