Recorded Crime Down in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde as Covid Impact Reduces
Recorded incidents are down against the same reporting period last year according to the latest figures published by Police Scotland.
Serious assaults are down from 48 to 31 and indecent/sexual assaults are also down by two despite the national picture showing an overall increase of 24.3% when compared to last year and by 17.9% against the five-year average.
Recorded crimes of fire-raising are down by 22 against the same reporting period and there were 12 fewer reports of crimes involving offensive/bladed weapons. Total drugs crimes are also down by more than 100.
Common assaults are up by 84 more incidents but down from 125 to 95 against emergency workers.
Divisional Commander for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, Chief Superintendent David Duncan said: “This reporting period shows the success of targeted and proportionate deployments to those areas concerning our communities the most. We have taken action to reverse specific and short-term crime trends and will continue in our efforts to achieve a sustainable reduction.
“Officers and staff work with dedication and commitment and as restrictions relating to the pandemic have eased, they are making themselves visible and accessible to our communities should they need their assistance.
“As Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said, while restrictions relating to the pandemic continue to have an impact on the policing needs of our communities, the effect is different compared to the same period last year, when the first lockdown had only recently been introduced and the most stringent measures were in place.
“While I acknowledge that Renfrewshire and Inverclyde has recorded a drop across most crime categories, we will not become complacent in our efforts to keep our communities safe.”
Nationally, reported violent crime was up 12.8% year on year but down 2.1% on the five-year average. The number of people killed in road traffic collisions rose to 24, up from 14 during the same period last year, but down around a third 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 Performance Report will be presented at the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee on Wednesday, 1 September.
