Overall crime levels have slightly dropped across West Dunbartonshire – though sex crimes are still rising.
Figures released by Police Scotland reveal a drop of more than four percent was recorded across the area with 148 fewer crimes, down from 3,491 to 3,343 against the same period last year.
Drug-related crimes are down by 285 while crimes involving the possession of drugs have reduced by 254 fewer incidents.
Incidents relating to the supply of drugs are also down by 26.
Housebreakings also dropped by more than 25 percent with 40 fewer incidents and there were more than 2,000 fewer recorded crimes of anti-social behaviour, down 27 percent against the same reporting period last year.
However, sex crimes are still increasing, with a total of 107 reports compared to 92 this time last year.
According to the national picture, overall sexual crime continues to be recorded at a high level with 7,519 reported in the first two quarters of 2021-22, up 13.4 percent year on year and up 17.3 percent on the five-year average.
In the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire policing division, there were 12 more reports of rape and attempted rape.
Earlier this year, we reported a slight increase in sexual crimes within the division, while the number of sex crimes reported in Scotland between April and June soared to a six-year high.
There were also more reports of fire-raising, increasing from 668 to 713, while incidents of vandalism and malicious mischief rose from 574 to 609.
The number of common assaults also went from 706 incidents in 2020/21 to 858 in 2021/22.
Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent John Paterson said: “While I am pleased that recorded crime is down across Argyll and West Dunbartonshire, I give my personal assurance that the police officers and staff who work tirelessly every day in our communities will continue to do their very best to address the priorities our communities want us to focus on.
“As we head into the festive period, I also want to reassure the public that there will be a visible police presence on our streets and we will continue to work with our partners to make sure that Argyll and West Dunbartonshire remains a safe place to live, work and visit.”
Police Scotland’s performance report describes how recorded crime for crime types that typically contain an online element – fraud, threats and extortion, communications and image offences, and stalking – have increased by more than 60 percent since 2018-19.
The report also outlines concerns raised by members of the public through the Your Police Survey which received 1,308 responses, including the experiences of women and the harm caused by drugs.
It describes some of the work Police Scotland is undertaking in relation to these matters, including the ThatGuy sexual offending prevention campaign, which calls on men to take responsibility for ending sexual violence by changing their attitudes and behaviours towards women as well as challenging those of their
peers.
A new initiative has also seen almost 650 officers volunteer to carry Naloxone which can save lives where someone has overdosed.
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