Monday October 10th 2022
Police Scotland has released its Q1 Management of Information data for April to June 2022, which shows that the total number of offences taking place in the division has decreased from 4726, to 4466, when compared to the same time last year.
Importantly this means less people being victims of criminality, including emergency service workers, as attacks on blue-light partners have reduced.
While crimes of violence have risen nationally, the Lothians and Scottish Borders have actually seen a slight reduction in violent crime. This includes five fewer serious assaults and four less incidents of robbery and assault with intent to rob.
The overall number of sexual crimes has also reduced from 375, to 268, with rape and attempted rape reports falling from 84-58. There have also been four fewer incidents of indecent/sexual assault.
The division has also seen a downward trend in the number of frauds being reported, which, again, goes against the national picture, where fraud is continuing to rise. In total fraud fell within the Lothians and Scottish Borders from 361 reported incidents, to 327. Police Scotland continue to focus on raising awareness across all communities of signs to be alert to in order to prevent fraud and protect those most vulnerable to it.
Road safety remains a priority throughout the division and while the number of fatalities occurring has risen from three, to six, there have been positive reductions for the number of serious and slight injury collisions.
Chief Superintendent Catriona Paton, Divisional Commander for the Lothians and Scottish Borders, said: “It is obviously extremely encouraging to view reductions in crime rates across the board, but we must be pragmatic in our approach to the review and analysis of the Management of Information data, as when we compare it to the same period last year, we are looking at a snapshot of when the country was still subject to COVID restrictions.
“Nevertheless, the positive decrease in violent crime, sexual crime, fraud and road traffic offences is testament to the dedication and professionalism of officers and staff working, together with partners, and with the support of local communities within and across the division and I thank them for their continued efforts.
“We will continue to work alongside our key partners and to engage with our communities in a way that helps us to continue to reduce crime further, to provide further reassurance and keep our communities safe.
“What the national Q1 data highlights, is that the online realm remains a challenge for policing and DCC Taylor has confirmed that more investment and training is required in this space to tackle online offending and protect those who are using the internet.
“Lothians and Scottish Borders Division will continue to utilise all national and specialist resources at our disposal to protect communities, be it online, or in person.”
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