The number of sexual crimes reported in East Ayrshire has rocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, shock new police figures show.
A Police Scotland dossier has revealed that reports of attacks have risen by almost 20 per cent in the past year.
The crime file has also shown that assaults on key emergency workers has increased in the past 12 months.
Residents complaining about people not following COVID-19 rules has also led to a significant influx of instances of disorder in the region, the report says.
A near 40 per cent increase in disorder offences has also been blamed on lockdown easing with youth disorder and anti-social behaviour on the rise.
And cops say that the spike in sexual crimes, which is higher than the five-year average, is mainly down to an increase in the number of historical offences being reported.
A total of 281 sexual crimes were reported to local officers between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 with 123 of those deemed to be "non-recent offences". While 237 offences were recorded during the previous year.
The report, which will be presented to East Ayrshire councillors this week, reads: "Sexual crime overall has increased by 19.8 per cent, with an increasing proportion of non-recent offences. Recent incidents reported to us has decreased from 164.
"Partners from EAC, Police Scotland, SFRS and the East Ayrshire health and social care form part of daily multi-agency grip meeting.
"These meetings provide an effective method for the timeous sharing of information within existing legislative frameworks to enable the earliest interventions following interaction with a service provider.
"The meetings aim to reduce further incidents of offending, while recognising those involved include some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and ensures relevant partners have a fuller picture of an individual’s current lifestyle and behaviour."
While the number of reports of common assaults from members of the public have reduced by 13 per cent from the previous year, attacks on emergency workers have increased from 128 to 140. The combined number of assaults is the lowest since 2015/16, well below the five-year average.
Total crime is down by 3.4 per cent across the region.
Road traffic casualties have been reduced by 42 per cent and violent crime down by 11 per cent.
Housebreaking has been dramatically slashed by 26 per cent and missing people reports are down by 20 per cent.
On the disorder spike the report added: "Incidents of disorder has shown a significant increase, from 4,828 to 6,704.
"This is due to the amount of complaints we continue to receive in relation to non-compliance with Covid regulations and guidance.
"Furthermore, as a result of lockdown easing we have recently seen an increase in youth disorder and anti-social behaviour.
"In response to an increase in youth disorder and anti-social behaviour, we have instigated operation Peakhurst.
"We are in regular contact with Vibrant Communities, Youth Action Team, EAC. Vibrant Communities and have provided them with a radio to allow them to have back to back radio coverage with officers on the ground.
"We continue to engage with partners to identify offenders traveling into East Ayrshire, as well as Dean Park Rangers to see where they can best deploy.
"In partnership with ASBIT at East Ayrshire Council we will actively pursue anti-social behaviour orders where possible.
"Campus officers within the local schools have been engaging with youths and particularly focusing on anti-social behaviour inputs and we continue to provide support to local licensed premises in order to prevent youths getting access to alcohol and have reached out to parents on social media."
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