Reduction in murder, attempted murder and common assault in Greater Glasgow

Greater Glasgow has recorded fewer crimes of murder, attempted murder and common assault as it responds to the ongoing pandemic.

Recorded incidents of serious assault and indecent/sexual assault are also down against the same period last year.

Fewer housebreakings have also occurred while offensive/bladed weapons offences have increased from 2,151 to 2,400. Crimes of fraud have also increased across the country and in Glasgow alone, the figures are up from 1,780 to 2,070 according to data recorded by Police Scotland.

Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, commander of Greater Glasgow Division said: “I welcome the drop in serious crime and violence while we continue to address the public health crisis. The pandemic and long term closure of our night time economy has changed and influenced policing demands across Glasgow.

“Recorded incidents of common assault have dropped significantly from 8,540 to 7,502 and we have seen 120 fewer crimes of indecent/sexual assault.

“Serious assaults are also down from 731 to 646 and we have had four fewer murders across Greater Glasgow compared to the same reporting period last year.

“The carrying of offensive weapons is a trend we want to reverse and we have detected 200 more incidents in this reporting period. Officers will continue to use all of the powers at their disposal to prevent weapons coming into our communities and causing untold harm.

“Officers have been policing under extraordinary circumstances and their presence in communities has no doubt contributed to these latest figures and increased the confidence of those coming forward to report new or historic crimes.”

Police Scotland received an additional 25,000 calls between April and December compared to the same period last year, taking the total number of 999 and 101 contacts to almost 2 million during the first three-quarters of 2020-21.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “There has been an increase in the number of calls from members of the public during this period and the dedicated team within our Contact, Command and Control (C3) Division continues to provide an essential service to our communities in difficult circumstances.

“The public health crisis continues to influence the needs of our communities, however it may be years before we fully understand the impact of coronavirus on crime and policing demand in Scotland.”

The figures are outlined in Police Scotland’s 2020-21 Quarter 3 Performance Report which is published today.