Forth Valley officers supporting our community policing response

Police Scotland officers in Forth Valley have continued to support their communities following a highly demanding period.

As reported crime returned to pre-lockdown levels in a number of categories, those with additional and complex demands and an online element also continued to grow during the first half of 2021-22.

Chief Superintendent Alan Gibson said: “I am extremely proud of the work and commitment shown by our officers during a summer period which presented an exceptional level of demand on our officers and staff, as the needs of our communities changed as the country emerged from the coronavirus restrictions.”

Across Forth Valley sexual crimes saw an increase on the same period last year, with 429 being reported – an increase of 23.9% on the figure recorded during the same period last year (346).

Chief Superintendent Gibson continued: “Supporting the victims of sexual crime and targeting the perpetrators remains an absolute priority for Forth Valley officers. This also underlines the importance of the work we are undertaking as part of our innovative and ground-breaking ThatGuy campaign.

“Our officers will show the same diligence and hard work to keep our communities safe as the equally busy Festive Period approaches.”

Violent crime between April and September 2021 saw a slight rise of 8.7% - from 298 reports to 324.

A rise in common assaults – from 1593 to 1848 (16%) – can be attributed to the re-opening of licenced premises and larger gatherings taking place.

The number of housebreakings fell by 80% from 270 recorded last year – compared to only 150 recorded in the same period this year.