Police in Fife continue to support communities across the Kingdom

As Scotland continues to adapt to life with coronavirus-related restrictions, recorded crime in Fife has risen in the first two quarters of 2021-22 to around pre-pandemic levels.

The latest quarterly Management Information, covering the quarter two period from 1 April to 30 September, 2021, has shown reported violent crime remains slightly below the five-year average. It has, however, increased significantly compared to the same period last year when we saw substantial reductions on historic figures as a result of the COVID-related lockdown.

Within Fife, there has been a slight rise in violent crime during Q2, however, the division has not seen the same increase in common assaults which has been observed in other areas.

Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, said: “We are still operating as a society, and as a police service, in unique circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ever changing needs and requirements of our communities has seen our officers flexing to help minimise the spread of the virus while keeping people safe. 

 

“We have observed a rise in reports of domestic abuse and sexual offending, as well as associated increases in detections for these crimes. These are incidents which can be under-reported so we encourage anyone who may have been a victim of any kind of crime to contact the police and allow us to investigate.

 

“Officers have maintained a focus on the safety of the Kingdom’s roads. Despite an increase in the number of motoring offences being recorded – including drink or drug driving, careless driving and speeding – the number of road traffic collisions where someone has been killed or seriously injured is significantly lower in this quarter than at the same time last year.”

 

In Fife, proactive investigations are ongoing into non-recent child abuse cases, some of which date back to the 1960s. This issue continues to be a focus of the division, and we can assure the public that all crimes, regardless of when an incident occurred, will be investigated fully. In the course of this year a number of individuals have been convicted of serious sexual offences resulting in lengthy prison sentences.   

 

Additionally, Operation Pinnacle is Fife division’s response to Serious and Organised Crime and during Q2 we have continued to target individuals involved in illegal behaviour while also removing illicit drugs from our villages and towns. 

 

The Performance Report is published today (Monday, 6 December, 2021) and will be presented to the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee on Thursday, 9 December. The associated Management Information is available on Police Scotland’s website.

You can view the information here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/our-performance/