5. Q3 2025-26 - North Ayrshire Performance Report
North Ayrshire Council · 2 March 2026
Back to Police and Fire and Rescue Committee — 2 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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North Ayrshire Performance Report OFFICIAL Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. Quarter 3 : 1st April 2025 to 31st December 2025
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North Ayrshire Performance Report Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Our Local Policing Priorities • Serious Crime • Safer Communities • Violence Against Women & Girls • Community Wellbeing • Road Safety Introduction As the Divisional Commander for Ayrshire and the Local Policing Commander for North Ayrshire, I am delighted to present the performance report for the third quarter of 2025/2026. Overall incidents in North Ayrshire are down by the end of Q3 from 28756 this time last year to 26840 by the end of December 2025. This is a drop of 6.7% with a further decrease of 8% on the 5-year average. Now that we are finally heading towards the spring and summer months our officers and staff continue to work hard, focussing on local policing priorities across North Ayrshire and engaging with communities to instil trust and confidence. Policing continues to face challenges across many areas, and our teams have worked hard to flex resource and work with partners to meet and resolve these demands. As always, I want to thank partners for working with us to make North Ayrshire communities a safer place to live, work and thrive. Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow
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Overview Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Violence CYTD: 1378 PYTD: 1446 % Change 5yr Avg: 3.4% +9.0% Drugs Supply CYTD: 55 PYTD: 66 % Change 5yr Avg: -3.2% 3% -19.6% Sexual Crimes CYTD: 294 PYTD: 247 % Change 5yr Avg: +26% +2.2% Serious Organised Crime ASB CYTD: 5183 PYTD: 5336 % Change 5yr Avg: -19.2% Hate Crime CYTD: 79 PYTD: 114 % Change 5yr Avg: -24% Domestic Abuse CYTD: 1318 PYTD: 1330 % Change 5yr Avg: +4.4% Safer Communities Acquisitive Crime CYTD: 1,741 PYTD: 1,901 % Change 5yr Avg: -7.6% Robbery CYTD: 25 PYTD: 24 % Change 5yr Avg: - -6.7% Acquisitive Crime Road Traffic Offences CYTD: 2,504 PYTD: 1,867 % Change 5yr Avg: +30.3% Fatal & Serious Injury CYTD: 4 / 24 PYTD: 2 / 32 % Change Prev Year +100% and -25% Road Safety
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Serious Crime Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Violent Crime - Violent Crime has decreased by 4.7% on the previous year to date and is down from 1446 incidents to 1378 incidents. Furthermore, there has been a slight increase in the detection rate by 0.4% since last year. Homicides remain at 4 meaning there have been no further homicides within the Q3 reporting period. Serious assaults have decreased by 10.7% on last year from 56 to 50 and decreased by 9.7% on the 5-year average (5 year average being 55.4). What’s more, the detection rate has remained similar sitting at 82 PYTD and 80 CYTD. Only a slight decrease of 2.1%. Robberies have remained similar to last year (24 PYTD to 25 CYTD) an increase of only 4.1%. There has however been a 6.7% decrease in the 5-year average which sits at 26.8 incidents per annum. Drug Related Crime – Between1st October and 31st December 2025, 28 search warrants were executed, 12 were positive and 7 resulted in supply charges. During quarter 3 drug supply (including possession with intent to supply) has shown a decrease of 16.7% on the previous year to date dropping from 66 to 55 offences. Recognising this, in January and February 2026 we have therefore increased our proactive activity around this crime type with our officers prioritising intelligence gathering and the subsequent targeting of individuals involved in the supply of controlled drugs. During the reporting period (end of Q3) there have been 423 offences relating to possession of a controlled drug. An increase of 4.2% on the 5-year average. This success has been influenced by our intelligence led stop search activity where just over one in every 4 stop searches result in a positive recovery. Violent Crime The prevention and investigation of violent crime remains a priority for the directed tasking of North Ayrshire officers. Whilst the decrease in serious assaults alongside the increased detection rate, is positive, Robberies remain at a similar level. Each robbery is scrutinised closely by CID and the Local Area Commander with no emerging patterns having been identified in the end of Q3 time period. In the majority of cases, the offender and victim are known to each other. By way of prevention, we remain focussed on reducing serious assaults and robberies further, directing resources towards specific areas, addressing anti social behaviour issues, ensuring licensed premises are supported by police visits and therefore safeguarding our communities. Drug Related Crime Increased focus on intelligence gathering and stop and search is integral to our ongoing efforts to reduce drug harm in the area. Furthermore, collaboration with partners in Specialist Crime and Roads Policing means North Ayrshire officers gain an understanding of organised crime groups and how they move to and from the area. We focus on targeting vehicles travelling into and through the area which have been identified as linked to crime groups and the supply of drugs with a number of individuals having been arrested and charged with related offences.
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Sexual Crimes (incl. VAWG) Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Sexual Crime - Overall, sexual crime has shown an increase of 19% since last year and an increase of 26% in the 5-year average. Rape - Recorded Rape crimes have reduced by 2.3% from 43 last year to 42 this year. Furthermore, the detection rate for Rape has risen by 3.7%. The increased reporting and slight increase in detection rates is testament to the bravery of victims and deployment of specialist officers in identifying those responsible. Sexual assaults have risen from 104 recorded incidents PYTD to 119 incidents by the end of quarter 3 - CYTD. Officers continue to investigate such crimes robustly to identify perpetrators whilst our Preventions, Campus and Local Policing officers focussing on educating our young people on behaviours that are not acceptable. Causing to view sexual activity or images – There has been an increase nationally and locally in cyber related sexual crime, largely driven by a rise in communicating indecently offences alongside other online/cyber related offences, Crimes involving causing to view sexual activity or images form part of this crime type and have dropped in North Ayrshire, decreasing by 4.9% from 41 (PYTD) to 39 (CYTD) and 7.1% on the 5-year average – 42 crimes. Sexual Crime Dedicated Public Protection officers are based in North Ayrshire to investigate sexual offences and are supported by specialist officers from national divisions. Locality Policing (community and campus) officers continue to work proactively to reduce the number of victims of sexual crime and encourage a safe space in which to report. This is predominantly undertaken by educating our young people in schools particularly with increasing awareness of online sexual crime and highlighting behaviours that are deemed unacceptable and illegal. Close collaboration with partners including the Violence Against Women and Girls network strengthens prevention and early intervention focussing on healthy relationships, consent and tackling relationship abuse.
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Safer Communities Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Domestic Abuse Incidents have decreased by 0.9% in the reporting period compared to the previous year. Officers in North Ayrshire attended 1318 domestic incidents in the quarter 3 reporting period, 599 of which were domestic related crimes (45.4%). This slight decrease is in contrast with the Scottish data which presents a slight rise in reported domestic incidents. Proactive policing of domestic bail requirements has resulted in 84 offences relating to perpetrators breaching bail conditions. This is similar to 88 last year and is a 7.4% increase on the 5-year average. Furthermore, we continue to support and protect victims throughout their criminal justice journey. Anti-Social Behaviour - Incidents have decreased 2.9% on the previous year to date, with overall ASB calls to police reducing from 5336 to 5183 incidents, which is down 19.2% on the 5-year average. CYTD there have been 724 intelligence lead stop searches conducted within North Ayrshire with 216 resulting in a positive outcome. A slight decrease on the previous year of 868 and 247 however focus has been on educating officers in identifying those likely to be committing ASB offences or crimes involving criminal possession of weapons or drugs. Approximately 305 of stop searches result in a positive result. Hate Crimes recorded for quarter 3 have decreased on the previous year from 114 to 79 - a 30.7% decrease. Furthermore, there was a 24% decrease on the 5-year average. The detection rate remains similar to last year changing from PYTD – 68.4% to CYTD – 67.1%. The most common offences continue to be racially aggravated and disablist incidents Domestic Abuse Crimes remain a daily operational focus, ensuring victims are protected, supported and confident to report to police. Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) referrals in North Ayrshire for the Q3 period (156 disclosures made) continue to rise, demonstrating the commitment and effectiveness of the Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Team. DSDAS is modelled on the Keeping Children Safe process. Anyone concerned that their partner has an abusive past or that their partner may harm them can make an application under the Right to Ask pathway of the DSDAS. There has been an increase this year of 205 RTA submissions. Right to Ask applications can also be made by third parties such as a parent, relative, neighbour or friend if they are concerned about the safety of someone they know. Anti-Social Behaviour – Excellent partnership work between Police Scotland, North Ayrshire Council and our Safer Shores contingent continues to contribute to the reduction of overall ASB across our communities. As we fast approach the better weather, we have already commenced our joint working group. Aiming to launch Safer Shores earlier in mid-March we have recognised that better weather alongside spring holidays can often mean that prevention of anti-social behaviour must start sooner than in previous years.
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Acquisitive Crime Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Acquisitive Crime Overall Acquisitive crime has decreased 8.42% on the previous year dropping from 1901 incidents to 1741 incidents. To date there has also been a decrease of 7.6% in the 5- year average which sits at 1885. Theft by Housebreaking (including attempts) - It is positive to see a decrease of 11.11% (108 down to 96) in theft by housebreaking on the previous year to date and furthermore a decrease of 37.5% on the 5-year average (153.6). Of particular note, housebreaking (incl attempts) on dwelling houses has had a significant drop from last year, down 32.14%. (56 PYTD to 38 CYTD). Retail Crime – By the end of Q3, theft by shoplifting has increased slightly by 0.85%. (833 PYTD – 840 CYTD). This remains a high focus area where we continue to work with retailers around prevention measures. Motor Vehicle Crime – Expanding across theft from vehicles, theft of and attempt theft of motor vehicles, there has been a 5.34% drop in these incidents since this time last year. Reducing from 131 across by the end of Q3 PYTD to 124 CYTD.. Acquisitive crime. North Ayrshire officers continue to use intelligence gathering and high visibility policing to identify areas which may be susceptible to housebreakings or vehicle crimes. Currently no particular patterns can be established with most incidents being in isolation. Prevention and Local Policing (Community) officers continue to give advice on securing domestic and commercial property and vehicles. Added lighting, doorbell cameras, neighbourhood awareness and communication all assist in preventing as well as detecting these incidents. Retail – Collectively across the three local authority areas, we continue to focus on retail related thefts and associated disorder. Preventions and Interventions continue to work closely with retailers to ensure that preventative measures and security protocols are in place. As a division, all 3 Local Area Commanders work with each other to identify repeat offender and trends throughout Ayrshire enabling early identification of perpetrators. As discussed at the last PFRC Police Scotland continue to request Undertaking or Court- imposed bail conditions to prevent offenders from entering the premises where such offences occur however it is imperative that retailers continue to acknowledge and implement preventative advice in an effort to maintain the security of their premises.
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Road Safety Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Road Safety Road Traffic Offences increased from 1867 PYTD to 2504 in the CYTD. A rise of 34.12%. There was also a 30.3% increase on the 5-year average from 1922 to 2504 offences. By the close of quarter 2, there have been 4 fatalities this year on North Ayrshire roads in comparison to 2 by the same time last year meaning no further fatalities on North Ayrshire roads during Q3 . Serious injury RTCs on our North Ayrshire roads have decreased slightly from 20 the previous year to date to 15 this year – a drop of 25%. The fatalities and serious injuries have occurred at various locations across North Ayrshire emphasizing the ongoing need for driver, rider and passenger education which our Roads Policing and Local officers continuously strive to deliver and achieve. Speeding offences have increased from 237 (PYTD) to 449 (CYTD). A considerable increase of 89% which shows the level of proactivity by North Ayrshire officers in conjunction with our Roads Policing colleagues. Careless driving offences have reduced slightly from 124 to 119, a decrease of 4%. Road Traffic Offences are centred around the ‘Fatal 5’ most common factors that cause fatal road traffic collisions (speeding, seatbelt use, distractions, drink/drug driving and careless driving). Analysis of police data and educating drivers and other road users in their behaviours helps to increase detections but more importantly reduce serious injury and fatalities on our road network. Festive Driving Campaign – The Police Scotland Festive Drink Driving Campaign took place nationwide between 1st December 2025 until 4th January 2025. Naturally this also focussed on motorists in North Ayrshire. The following are some significant results. • Breath Tests Carries Out – 3021 with 319 drink driving offences detected. • Drug Wipes Carried Out - 626 with 398 drug driving offences detected.
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Community Wellbeing Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Protecting the most Vulnerable – By the end of quarter 3 (1st April -31st December 2025) officers in North Ayrshire submitted 4334 concern reports for individuals in the reporting period. 1784 relate to vulnerable adults and 2124 relate to child concerns (some repeat reports). Concern reports are triaged by officers and shared with various partners where required, this ensures a multi-agency approach to reducing vulnerability through partnership work. Protecting the most vulnerable members of society is vital in North Ayrshire. Officers submitted Adult Concern forms for 1784 individuals, and these were shared on 1827 occasions with partners, multiple partners are notified to ensure wider safeguarding. Missing People – Between 1st October and 31st December 2025 North Ayrshire officers dealt with 81 reports of Missing People. This is a total of 258 by the end of Q3. During quarter 3, 43 of the reports were adults and 38 related to persons under the age of 18 years old. By way of a further analysis, 9 were from local authority children’s houses, 3 privately owned children’s houses and the remaining 26 were from their home addresses. 17 Missing person reports identified an immediate threat to life and were graded High Risk. These risk assessments allow us to focus resource to the greatest need and vulnerability Protecting the most Vulnerable North Ayrshire Preventions and Interventions (PC Jamie Cree) and Anti Social Behaviour officer (PC Heather Galloway) continuously work closely with partner agencies and third sector organisations to ensure that crime prevention advice is shared and that vulnerable people within our communities are provided the appropriate support and pathways. This allows the sharing of vital information to ensure that we have less victims of crime across North Ayrshire and those most vulnerable across society are identified and protected. Campus officers continue to work within our North Ayrshire schools to deliver inputs, focussing on the key local priorities within each area such as ASB, road safety, sexually related crime and intelligence gathering. Missing People Work in North Ayrshire remains ongoing to reduce the number of Missing episodes from young people in Children’s Houses. Working with the Children’s Houses and Social Work is vital to protecting young people in the community and to reduce the demands on service. Many adults who are reported missing suffer mental health challenges, and we have increased our work with Health and Social Care partners to ensure safeguarding, guidance and appropriate pathways are put in place.
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UA Sub-Division Specially Trained Officers (STOs) (Q3) - 1st October 2025 – 31st December 2025 (% figures represent a national comparison) 5.8% 3.7% PS27 – STO not tasked to incident PS28 – STO tasked to incident PS29 – No STO available to attend *Discharge Details: - None Total Number of STO’s: 49 OFFICIAL Under 18 use: None Self- Harm Non Self- Harm National 26 195 UA Sub- Div 0 12 Self-Harm Incidents 0.0% 6.1% PS2 7 PS2 8 PS2 9 National 114 538 19 UA Sub-Div 7 24 0 Deployment Incidents 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Und er 18 18- 30 31- 64 65+ Unk now n National 9 75 130 1 6 UA Sub-Div 0 1 11 0 0 Subject Age 0 50 100 150 200 250 White BME Not Stated National 207 8 6 UA Sub-Div 12 0 0 Officer Defined Subject Ethnicity Total Uses National: 221 UA Sub-Div: 12 (5.4%) Draw National:79 UA Sub-Div: 5 (6.3%) Aimed National: 34 UA Sub-Div: 1 (2.9%) Laser Dot National: 88 UA Sub-Div: 6 (6.8%) Arc Display National: 3 UA Sub-Div: 0 (0.0%) Discharged* National: 17 UA Sub-Div: 0 (0.0%) 0 20 40 60 80 100 Yes No Percieve d National 96 77 48 UA Sub-Div 3 6 3 Weapons Presented Subject Gender 190 1 1 Male National 27 1 FemaleWeapons Presented at Officers in UA Sub-div include: Knives & Sword 3.1% 7.8% 6.2% 5.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4.5% 6.1%
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North Ayrshire Performance Report Safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. OFFICIAL Our Local Policing Priorities • Serious Crime • Safer Communities • Violence Against Women & Girls • Community Wellbeing • Road SafetyE sco SPOTLIGHT – Crimestoppers/Fearless (Youth Service) Crimestoppers have been a partner of Police Scotland and continue to be an important link in keeping our communities safe. Crimestoppers are an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime anonymously. Crimestoppers allow members of the community to report crime/criminal activities or concerns, and it can be done through telephone or online reports. With that in mind and with there being a number of concerns routinely raised in North Ayrshire, such as anti-social behaviour, drug use/dealing, driving offences and acquisitive crime including repeat shopliftings, it is vital that we encourage our citizens to use the service enabling the gathering of information and intelligence which then forms proactive policing in your area. This allows the Local Area Commander, Chief Inspector Judith Macgregor to focus resourcing where it is needed and has the most preventative benefit and disrupt offending activity. Whilst many communities may not wish to pass information to the Police as people feel vulnerable, scared or afraid of the consequences, Crimestoppers is a way this information can be delivered with the reporter’s identity remaining fully anonymous . Concerns can then be acted on to ensure criminality is targeted and those intent on offending can be identified. Please encourage constituents to use Crimestoppers online or contact them anonymously on 0800 555 111.