Serious Assaults Down in Lanarkshire as Covid Restrictions Removed

There were 27 fewer reports of serious assault according to figures released by Police Scotland.

During the same reporting period there was one recorded murder in the area, six fewer than the same period last year and an arrest has been made in relation to that incident.

In line with the overall national picture which reveals both the highest number of reported sexual crimes and detections over the last six years, Lanarkshire has recorded 25 more sexual crimes and 46 more detections in this area.

Total crimes of house-breaking have fallen by 71 against the same period while 34 fewer crimes have been recorded involving the carrying of offensive/bladed weapons.

Drug-related crimes are down significantly by 190 fewer incidents while common assaults are up by 95 but down five against emergency workers.

Divisional Commander for Lanarkshire, Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell said: “This reporting period shows a real mix of policing needs and we will use these latest figures to inform local and targeted action plans.

“Similar to the national figures, we recorded 37 more crimes of indecent/sexual assaults, up from 88 to 125 this reporting period and as Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said, as restrictions continue to ease, we anticipate a continued rise in sexual offending. Despite significant increases, we know this remains under-reported and I encourage victims to come forward.

“While overall reported violent crime has increased across the country, Lanarkshire has recorded 25 fewer crimes in the same category. We aim to sustain that reduction and achieve similar outcomes across all crime groups while dealing with the removal of restrictions which saw us locked down last year.”

Nationally, 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.