Housebreaking and acquisitive crime down in Edinburgh
Housebreaking and acquisitive crime continues to fall in Edinburgh as the country moves further out of COVID restrictions.
Police Scotland has today released its Q3 Management of Information Data for 1 April 2021, to 31 December, 2021.
This shows that there have been more than 700 fewer acquisitive crimes, including motor vehicle crime and theft from properties.
In addition, the total number of housebreakings and attempted break-ins occurring in the Capital have decreased from 1384, to 1108.
Following the periods of lockdown and other restrictions put in place to stem the spread of coronavirus, Scotland is seeing certain crime trends, including violence, returning to pre-COVID levels and this is mirrored within Edinburgh.
There have been nine fewer attempted murders in Edinburgh, however, increases have been observed in serious assaults, robberies and threats/online extortion.
While the division has also seen on overall rise in recorded sexual crime, there has been a reduction in rape and attempted rape, which have fallen from 188 reports, to 174.
Much like the rest of the country, fraud continues to rise in Edinburgh, with cyber offences becoming more and more prevalent. Reports of fraud have risen from 1260, to 1633.
There has also been 87 more road casualties compared with 2020/21, but there has been a positive reduction in overall road traffic offences, with 163 fewer having been recorded.
Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “The Q3 data is a snapshot of a period, which resulted in some of the most significant demand placed on Scottish policing in recent history. Despite this, however, public confidence remains high and that is in no small part down to the commitment and dedication of officers and staff who have worked diligently and professionally throughout.
“These efforts have resulted in some really positive results in Edinburgh, with acquisitive crime continuing to fall, including another reduction in housebreaking, which we know from our communities, is a priority for us to address.
“We acknowledge the ongoing rise in violence within the Capital and as DCC Taylor has stated, this reflects that violence rates were significantly lower during the time when the country was in lockdown and are now returning to levels that had previously been witnessed.
“The ongoing rise of fraud offences across the country is evidence of the changing landscape of policing, and that online platforms present new challenges that we must respond to. DCC Taylor confirmed more investment in digital forensics as part of Police Scotland’s Cyber Strategy and this will be of vital use to officers in the Capital as we aim to bring online offenders to justice.”
The Performance Report is published today and will be presented to the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee. Associated Management Information is available on Police Scotland’s website.
