Group 1 Crime Down Slightly in Ayrshire
Total Group 1 crime has dropped marginally across the area with seven fewer reports of non-sexual crimes of violence.
Indecent/sexual assaults have increased with 36 more reports and detection rates have also increased by 21 compared to the same reporting period last year. The national picture shows the highest number of reported sexual crimes and detections over the last six years, with increases in non-recent crime and recent crime driving the overall rise.
The latest figures released by Police Scotland show a sharp rise in common assaults across Ayrshire, up from 779 last quarter to 1,013 in this reporting period. Assaults on emergency workers are also on the rise with 28 more recorded incidents, taking the total to 139 compared to 111 last year.
Drugs crimes are down by 54 fewer incidents while house-breakings, including attempts, are also down by 63.
Divisional Commander for Ayrshire, Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain said: “This latest reporting period is in stark contrast to the same period last year when the country was in lockdown and the most stringent of restrictions were in place. We have been charting changes in crime trends as those restrictions have eased and ultimately been removed across Ayrshire.
“One trend I would particularly like to reverse is the volume of assaults. While I am disappointed at the rise in incidents throughout this reporting period, I want to assure our communities that I will take the necessary action to reduce them and any associated fear of being assaulted. That assurance extends to local officers and our emergency services partners who have signed the Ayrshire Assault Pledge to let people know that assaults on us are not simply part of the job.
“Now that people are moving more freely across the country, we have seen a small increase in the number of drink, drug driving offences with 15 more incidents. Across the country, the number of people killed in road traffic collisions rose to 24, up from 14 during the same period last year, and in Ayrshire, we sadly had one fatality. We will continue to work with our roads policing colleagues to keep Ayrshire’s roads safe for everyone.”
Nationally, reported violent crime was up 12.8% year on year (13,951 to 15,743), but down 2.1% on the five-year average. Public nuisance incidents reduced by 47.8% year-on-year (from 61,188 to 31,964), neighbour disputes fell by 20.6% (9,413 to 7,473) and noise complaints dropped 25.6% (18,632 to 13,856).
Reported anti-social behaviour incidents fell 28% (132,012 to 95,037) and complaints of disorder reduced by a third (104,170 to 69,651).
The Q1 Performance Report will be presented at the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee on Wednesday, 1 September.
