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Reducing crime in our communities remains our priority, says Chief Constable

Friday, 20th May 2011
Vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which cause communities in the Forth Valley the biggest concern, continued to decrease last year, according to the latest recorded annual crime statistics.

Vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which cause communities in the Forth Valley the biggest concern, continued to decrease last year, according to the latest recorded annual crime statistics.

Central Scotland's Chief Constable Kevin Smith pointed to decreases in these two areas as a particular highlight of the past 12 months in his annual report covering 2010-2011.

The report published today (May 20) also signalled longer term drops in recorded crime levels, despite an overall minor increase in the past year.

Mr Smith's annual report was presented to the Central Scotland Joint Police Board, along with the recorded crime figures from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

The Chief Constable said as well as reductions in vandalism and anti-social behaviour the force had made significant in-roads into disrupting serious and organised crime, achieved further reductions in injuries on the roads and enhanced public protection and the safety of the most vulnerable in our communities.

Mr Smith said: "Although there was an overall increase in recorded crime last year, it was less than one per cent compared to the previous year. The force detection rate remains high at nearly 59 per cent. However, analysis should reassure the public that over the longer-term period crime levels are falling.

"The picture over the past three years is that in almost every category of crime, the levels of crime being recorded are falling. In areas that the public repeatedly tell us cause them concern, such as vandalism and anti-social behaviour, the figures are positive. Other areas are also reducing including housebreaking, a crime which can obviously have a significant impact on peoples' lives.

"The message to the public in Central Scotland is that there are fewer victims of crime in this area.

"That does not mean, however, we are in any way, shape or form, complacent. Crimes, such as those involving violence, increased last year. The overall number is low, but it is something we are aware of and are working hard to tackle. Thefts also increased, possibly linked to the economic climate and factors relating to the drugs market in Central Scotland.

"Every effort will continue to be taken by this force to identify and trace those responsible for such crime and to work with people who do become victims of crime."

In total 16,840 crimes were recorded in 2010-2011. The increase compared to the previous year was 0.7 per cent and the force detection rate was 58.8 per cent. The recorded crime total for 2010-2011 is more than nine per cent less than the three year average.

Group One crimes (involving violence) increased by 17 per cent - however four per cent less than the three year average. The force detection rate of 96 per cent far exceeds the national figure for Group One of 67 per cent.

Group Two crimes (involving indecency) saw a drop of four per cent last year, which is also lower than the three year average.

Within Group Three crimes (involving dishonesty), there was an overall increase of five per cent, however this is one per cent below the three year average. Theft by housebreaking fell by three per cent with drops in both domestic and commercial housebreakings. Theft of items such as plant machinery, metal and fuel and crimes including shopflifting may be influenced by the overall economic climate.

Within Group Four (malicious mischief), vandalism, which accounts for a quarter of all recorded crime, decreased by five per cent last year, with 4,192 such crimes recorded û 19 per cent below the three year average.

Although there was an overall drop in crimes recorded in Group Five (including bail and drug offences), the force placed significant efforts last year in attacking serious and organised crime in the area, with drugs worth ú6.4 million recovered and 67 arrests made, disrupting criminal enterprises across the force and beyond.

In the force's area commands, which deliver response and community policing and crime investigation: Falkirk saw an increase of 1.2 per cent in overall crime; Stirling experienced a decrease of 0.8 per cent; and Clackmannanshire experienced an increase of 1.6 per cent. Last year saw the merger of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire area commands into one.

Mr Smith said a number of challenges lay ahead for the force and for the police service in Scotland but added: "The priority is delivering the best possible policing for our communities in Central Scotland."