Weapons offences down and road safety improves within Fife
Weapons offences have reduced, while road safety has increased within Fife as the country continues to move out of COVID restrictions.
Police Scotland has today issued its Q3 Management of Information data for 1 April 2021, to 31 December, 2021.
This shows that there have been 98 fewer crimes involving the possession, brandishing or use of a bladed or pointed weapon.
The overall total drug crimes recorded within the Kingdom has also fallen to 963, compared to 1073 during the same period the previous year.
Since lockdown ended and restrictions have continued to ease, Scotland has seen crime rates return to levels previously seen prior to coronavirus and this includes an increase in crimes of violence.
This has been mirrored within the division, with 14 further offences recorded in comparison with 2020/21.
Fife has seen three murders occur, which is two more than last year. However, there has been a decrease in robberies and assault with intent to rob, while serious assaults and attempted murder reports have remained consistent.
There has also been a positive reduction in housebreaking within the division. Overall, break-ins and attempts have fallen from 399, to 388 and incidents at both commercial and residential properties have decreased.
Nationally, fraud continues to rise and Fife has not been immune to this, with the number of reported incidents of fraud increasing from 747, to 903. This is largely due to the growing prevalence of cyber offences.
Road safety remains a top priority within Fife and there has been a significant reduction in the number of casualties occurring on the road network.
In total, 50 fewer people have been hurt as a result of a collision and this includes six fewer fatalities, 29 fewer seriously injured and 15 fewer slightly injured.
Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, Divisional Commander for Fife, said: “Fife officers played a crucial role in supporting the COP26 summit, as well as continuing to deal with the unprecedented demands of COVID, all of which took place during the time period covered within the Q3 data.
“DCC Taylor has praised the efforts of police personnel in helping maintain high public confidence during this incredibly challenging time for policing and I too wish to thank Fife’s officers and staff for their outstanding efforts in helping keep Fife a safe place to live, work and visit.
“Our Operation Path continues to target weapons offenders within the Kingdom and this has played a crucial role in reducing the number of offences occurring where knives and other bladed or pointed articles have been used. Similarly, our ongoing Operation Paramount activity, aimed at improving road safety, has seen very positive results in reducing road casualties on the Fife road network.
“Nevertheless, we recognise the rise in violent crime and we will continue to do all we can to address this and enhance public confidence in policing. As DCC Taylor has outlined, violence levels are returning to levels seen prior to COVID, having fallen due to lockdown, but we will not become complacent in our efforts to reduce violent offences and bring perpetrators to justice.
“The continued rise in fraud is reflective of many new challenges facing police, with offences moving to the cyber realm and the confirmation from DCC Taylor that more investment for divisions to deal with these crimes is very much welcomed.”
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.
