Anti-social behaviour reduces in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire

Anti-social behaviour incidents have reduced in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire according to latest data from Police Scotland.

Incidents of anti-social behaviour reported by the public fell by a quarter with reports down from 13,354 in 2020/21 to 9,856 in 2021/22.

Police Scotland’s Quarter 4 performance data (1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022) published today shows that overall reported crime is down across the division, dropping from 6,724 in 2020/21 to 6,333 in 2021/22.

Reports of non-sexual violent crime have increased from 235 to 279 over the period, as have reports of sexual crime, from 435 to 465 over the same period.

Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, said: “The past year has been exceptional for policing as the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt and to impact on criminality within our local communities.

“However, the reduction in overall crime across Argyll and West Dunbartonshire is to be welcomed.

“We are committed to continuing engagement within our local communities and to listening and acting on what people are telling us concerns them most.

“People told us anti-social behaviour was having a significant impact on their sense of safety and quality of life. We listened and have run a number of operations in recent months targeting this issue, and this action is reflected in the latest data.

“We will continue to target anti-social behaviour as we move into the summer months. People’s engagement with us and their feedback is crucial in developing our local policing plans and in continuing to build public confidence in the service we provide.

“We will also continue to focus our efforts to reduce violent and sexual crime across the division, increased reporting can be an indicator of people’s confidence in reporting these offences to the police. We will act on and investigate all reports we receive to bring perpetrators to justice.

“People are telling us that we are delivering a consistent service and have welcomed increased visibility and presence in those areas where it is needed. I would like to encourage the public to continue engaging with us and to help us deliver the service that they want.”

The 2021-22 Q4 Performance Report will be presented at the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee on 7 June. The report, and associated Management Information is available here.