Police Scotland - Argyll & Bute Performance Summary Report - Reporting Period: April 2024 - March 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 June 2025
Back to Community Services Committee — 5 June 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL x Argyll & Bute Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: April 2024 to March 2025 Total Crime 83 Crimes Incidents 19,969 Overall Dishonesty 812 Domestic Abuse Inc 680 +16.4% -3% +4.1% +17% -0.4% -25%* Road Deaths & Serious Injuries 57 -14.3%* Sexual Crime 236 -1591*PYTD, -1240*5YR AVG +108*PYTD, +193*5YR AVG -25*PYTD, +77*5YR AVG +27*PYTD, +19*5YR AVG +161*PYTD, +299*5YR AVG +1*PYTD, +11*5YR AVG -19*on PYTD -280*PYTD Violent Crime 1103 Missing People 137 Counter Terrorism -10*PYTD -6.8%* -34*PYTD, -25*5YR AVG Common Assault 765 -35.4% Housebreaking 62 Disorder Complaints 1677 The National Terrorism Threat level is SUBSTANTIAL This means that an attack is likely. *PYTD = Previous Year to Date *5YR = 5 year average -1.3% -7.4%
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL SECTION PAGE NUMBER Introduction 2 Executive Summary 3 Demand Analysis 4 Acquisitive Crime 5 Public Protection 6 Road Safety 7 Serious Organised Crime 8 Violence 9 Antisocial Behaviour 10 Public Confidence - Complaints & Allegations 11 Introduction I am pleased to present this performance summary report to Committee for its information and consideration. The Reporting Period for this report is cumulative for Quarters 1 to 4 of 2024/25, with available figures being shown from 1st April 2024 through to 31st March 2025. Please note that all data included in this report are management information and not official statistics. All data are sourced from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as of date of publication. Unless stated otherwise numerical comparisons are against the previous year to date and the previous five year average for the same data period specified. Crimes and offences are grouped under recognised categories for statistical purposes. The Scottish Government defines these categories, as follows: Group 1 - Non Sexual Crimes of Violence Group 6 - Miscellaneous Offences Group 2 - Sexual Crimes Group 7 - Offences relating to motor vehicles Group 3 - Crimes of Dishonesty PYTD - Previous Year to Date Group 4 - Fire Raising, Malicious Mischief CYTD - Current Year to Date Group 5 - Other (pro activity) Crimes
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL PRIORITY AREA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Acquisitive Crime At the end of March 2025, acquisitive crimes show a slight reduction of 3% from 837 to 812 crimes. Increases in shoplifting and fraud crimes have continued to be offset by a reduction in the number of housebreakings and common thefts. Public Protection Group 2 sexual crimes remain relatively unchanged compared to last year. Serious sexual crimes have seen a marginal increase however there has been a reduction in crimes pertaining to indecent images/communications. Road Safety & Road Crime We continue to record a positive reduction in the number of casualties involved in road traffic collisions within Argyll and Bute compared to last year. The number of fatal road traffic collisions within Argyll and Bute has risen marginally by 1 as at the end of March 2025 from 7 to 8. Road traffic collisions involving serious and slight injuries however have decreased considerably from 69 to 49 and 91 to 78 respectively. Serious Organised Crime At the end of March 2025, drug supply offences have increased slightly by 8.8% compared to the previous year, whilst possession charges have continued to see a reduction from 444 to 404 crimes. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 18 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £3,496,132 (as at Feb 25) has been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). Violence & ASB At the end of March 2025, Group 1 crimes of violence have increased with 1103 crimes compared to 942 the previous year to date, while anti-social behaviour (ASB) related crimes have also risen by 21.3% from 694 to 842. 1. Acquisitive Crime 2. Public Protection 3. Road Safety & Road Crime 4. Serious Organised Crime 5. Violence & Anti-social behaviour ARGYLL & BUTE POLICING PRIORITIES 2023-2026
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 6539 6456 Total number of incidents 21,560 19,969 DEMAND ANALYSIS - * PYTD - PREVIOUS YEAR TO DATE CYTD - CURRENT YEAR TO DATE * * * * The total volume of crimes and offences recorded within Argyll and Bute has decreased by 1.3% from the previous year but remains slightly above the previous 5 year average. Despite the overall reduction in crime levels there have been notable increases in both crimes of violence (+17%) and anti-social offences (+12.3%). Group 2 sexual crimes have remained relatively consistent year on year while crimes against society, acquisitive crime and miscellaneous offences have all experienced a reduction as at the end of Qtr. 4.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME Shoplifting crimes have increased by 14.6% with 228 crimes recorded compared to 199 the previous year, the figure remains above the previous 5-year average (146), which is in line with the national position. The detection rate has reduced marginally from 77.9% to 75%, however in number terms 16 more crimes have been detected. Housebreaking crimes have seen a reduction from 96 to 62 at the end of Qtr. 4 compared to last year. This is largely due to a 33% decrease in housebreakings at domestic dwellings (-22 crimes), while non dwelling properties have also seen a decrease (-11 crimes). The detection rate for housebreaking has reduced marginally from 27% to 25.8%. Fraud has increased slightly in Argyll and Bute compared to last year, from 196 to 204 recorded crimes. This is primarily due to an increase in frauds involving bank account compromises (+13). The detection rate for fraud has increased from 15.3% to 23.5%. Perpetrators of such offences are generally based out with the UK. We continue to target those involved in shoplifting offences, many of whom are linked to organised travelling crime groups. We have successfully identified a number of such travelling criminals via our partnership with Retailers Against Crime (RAC) who assist with the identification of these individuals. We are working with colleagues across the force to target known individuals and groups. We are also in the process of implementing a new IT process which will make the transfer of large evidential data files easier between businesses police Scotland and the COPFS. During this reporting period we have seen a number of online frauds recorded. These frauds relate to online sales sites such as Facebook marketplace and online investments such as Crypto Currency. Our pro-active work to protect the public from fraud continues. We are delivering inputs to groups and utilising our social media presence to maximum effect. Our relationship with our colleagues in Trading Standards is strong and we are installing call- blockers to landlines when appropriate which is a device to add a level of protection against the automated type of fraudulent call.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Our specialist officers within our CID team have realigned to create a single Domestic Abuse & Rape Investigation Unit (DARIU) to better triage risk and prioritise enquiries which can be allocated to an increased number of officers working across enquiries within the same unit. Given the volume of historical offences reported, the increase in rape detections is especially notable. This level of work is bringing matters to a speedier conclusion for victims and allowing for safety measures such a bail conditions to be put in place to protect these individuals from further harm. The creation of this unit will also increase our capability to target perpetrators of domestic violence across A&B. We are working daily to break this cycle including work within the schools’ delivering inputs on consent, misogynistic behaviours among young males and working with partners to deliver online sexual violence presentations. We have engaged with GP surgeries in the area providing advice and guidance on the Herbert Protocol which is a pre-prepared information pack for those living with dementia who are at a higher risk of going missing. We have asked the pack to be provided or discussed with families at diagnosis. The information can be provided immediately to police should the person go missing. At the end of Qtr. 4, Group 2 crimes have remained fairly consistent with 236 crimes recorded compared to 237 (-1) in the same period last year. Both the crime of ‘rape’ and ‘sexual assault’ have seen marginal increases from 45 to 46 crimes and 77 to 82 respectively, while crimes relating to indecent images/communications have seen a reduction. Approximately 85% of rape crimes occurred in a private setting and 86% were committed by persons known to the victim. 92% of sexual assaults were committed by persons known to the victim. 37% related to non-recent reports. The detection rates for both the crime of rape cand sexual assault have increased from 44.4% to 45.7% and 48% to 62.2% respectively, year on year. Domestic abuse incidents have increased slightly by 4.1% compared to last year from 653 to 680, while the number of crimes recorded has also seen a considerable rise from 429 to 688. The crime/incident conversion rate has also increased by 4.4% from 55% to 59.4%. A total of 137 missing person reports had been recorded within Argyll and Bute as at end of Qtr. 4, which is a reduction of 6.8% from last year (-10). MP reports relating to adults have reduced from 96 to 66 (-30), while reports relating to children and children in care have seen an increase from 49 to 66 (+17) year on year. PUBLIC PROTECTION
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL At the end of Qtr. 4, the number of fatal RTC’s recorded in Argyll and Bute has risen marginally from 7 to 8 year on year. Both serious and slight injuries however have seen notable reductions from 69 to 49 (-20) and 91 to 78 (-13), respectively. Road traffic offences have also seen a reduction of 11% in Argyll and Bute from 2163 to 1926 (-237) with the majority of crime times experiencing a decrease compared to the same period last year. Road Traffic Casualties 2023/24 2024/25 Number of persons killed on our roads 7 8 Number of persons seriously injured 69 49 Number of persons slightly injured 91 78 Number of children seriously injured 6 0 Overall, there continues to be a reduction in the number of casualties involved in road traffic collisions within A&B compared to last year. Speeding and driving complaints remain prevalent across A&B. We continue to support community concerns in this area through direct action, prevention and intervention work. Proactive speed checks have been carried out across hot spot areas. We continue to work with partners including A&B council looking for innovative ways to positively influence road users. Our proactive and determined approach to reducing road deaths during the last quarter (from January 2025) resulted in 29 detections for those driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs, 48 detections for careless driving and 21 for the more serious dangerous driving. Our preventions team continue to work with partners across our communities at road safety planned events. These events have been well received and allow a multi-agency approach to improving safety on our roads. where we can positively influence driver behaviour and understand community concerns. As we approach our peak time across our road’s networks our national Roads Policing Team will be providing a high visibility presence across Argyll, they will also be delivering initiatives such as ‘Operation Close Pass’ which is aimed at tackling dangerous overtaking of cyclists and raising cyclist awareness amongst other road users. Our national motorcycle unit will be out supporting local policing across Argyll in the coming period specifically to encourage safe and responsible road use by motorcyclists. There focus will be engagement, education and enforcement. We are also working with the Safety Camera Partnership to have their speed detection van deployed at various locations again to deter and detect those intent on speeding. ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 18 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £3,496,132 (as at Feb 25) has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2024. At the end of Qtr. 4, drugs supply charges show an increase of 8.8% compared to last year from 34 to 37 crimes, which is in line with the previous 5-year average (36). Drug possession charges have seen a 9% reduction from 444 to 404 and are also marginally below the previous 5-year average (407). The work of our Serious and Organised Crime Team continues to impact on the criminal activities of those involved. The seizure of £3,496,132 under POCA since 1st April 2024 is a very significant amount of money. Money that will not be re-invested into further illegal activity including the supply of illegal drugs which brings so much misery to many. This sum of money is a 34.5% increase on the sum arrested by the end of Q3 which was £2,595,658. In the reporting period from January, we had 83 recorded offences where persons have been found in possession of controlled drugs. We have also had 3 recorded offences where persons have been found in possession of a controlled drug with the intention to supply. We continue to engage with our communities across Argyll maximising local intelligence to help us target those involved with the sale and supply. Drug deaths are thankfully decreasing year on year and this in part is down to the ongoing work between us and many of our partners across the Third Sector who are referring, supporting, signposting and diverting those involved in criminality to fund an addiction. Police Scotland continue to contribute to the Alcohol & Drug Partnership, Drug Death Review Group, Rapid Action Drug Alerts & Response (RADAR) Group to reduce the number of people dependent on drugs and alcohol while supporting those impacted by the individual’s addiction SERIOUS & ORGANISED CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL VIOLENCE All operational officers across our towns and villages in A&B are briefed daily prior to deployment to furnish them with the intelligence and information required to be able to identify those involved in violence and ASB. This will include known weapon carriers, violent individuals and those subject to specific bail conditions that have been granted to restrict their activities. Our officers are pro-actively patrolling these areas and people with the intention of reducing their negative impact on the community and the likelihood of them re-offending. We continue to utilise analytical evidence to deploy our teams according to demand. We maximise our resources at peak times in towns such as Oban, Campbeltown, Dunoon, Bute and Helensburgh when we know excessive alcohol and or drug misuse may influence decision making. We engage and support our nighttime economy by carrying out licensed premises checks. These checks help identify risks and allow us to deliver effective early intervention to situations which may have otherwise escalated. Locally we are supporting our officers who are victims of assaults by supplementing existing officer safety training. We are focusing on officer wellbeing by ensuring they feel supported and have confidence delivering the specialist training they receive annually. Crimes of violence occurring within Argyll and Bute have risen by 17% from 942 to 1103 (+161) year on year with the current figure also 37% above the previous 5-year average (804). Crimes were largely spilt 50/50 in terms of public and private space however approx. 60% of those occurring in a public space were committed by persons known to the victim. Much of the increase in crimes of violence is due to an increase in common assaults (+108) and common assaults on police and emergency workers (+41). Common assaults were largely spilt 50/50 in terms of public/private space and in approx. 69% of public space crimes offenders were known to the victim. The increase in crimes is largely due to a rise in domestic related assaults (+52) and disputes between friends/neighbours (+33). The increase in assaults on police and emergency workers is due to slight increases in Dunoon (+15) and Rothesay (+8) compared to the PYTD. The detection rate for crimes of violence overall remains fairly consistent at 68%, which is relatively unchanged from 2023/24, however in number terms an additional 113 crimes have been detected.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Across the recording period the number of ASB related incidents in Argyll and Bute have reduced by approx. 9.8% (-247) compared to last year. Group 6 crimes, which include ASB related offences have increased by 21.3% with 842 crimes recorded compared to 694 the previous year. This is largely attributable to a rise in breach the peace/threatening and abusive behaviour (+111) and alcohol related offences (+19). ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR The reduction in ASB related calls is pleasing and we continue to work daily with our colleagues at A&B council and housing providers across Argyll to great effect. We are pro- actively visiting problematic tenancies with the ASB Team to impact on any ASB at the earliest possible opportunity. This information is then briefed out to local policing to ensure they are aware of ongoing demand and intelligence. Our officers are fully utilising alternatives to prosecution options whereby they are issuing fixed penalty notices and warnings for minor ASB related offences. This ensures we continue to maximise our resources within the community at peak times without our officers being abstracted to custody. The Preventions Team at Dumbarton are in daily contact with the ASB and Housing Teams across A&B. Requests can range from a single email to a full disclosure which is required when legal action is being taken against a resident. Across A&B we have made in excess of 300 disclosures. The partnership work between the local authority, housing providers and Police Scotland is a very strong effective partnership.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE: COMPLAINTS & USER SATISFACTION Overall satisfaction with Police Scotland User Satisfaction results show that locally, public confidence levels remain high within Argyll and West Dunbartonshire with overall satisfaction levels at 73%, which is slightly above the position as at the end of the 2022/23 reporting period. Useful Links/Contacts • Argyll and Bute Communtiy Directory - https://abcd.scot/ including warm spaces information • Crimestoppers – Crimestoppers in Scotland | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) 0800 555 111 • Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime – www.scottishparc.co.uk • Women’s Aid - Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk) • Citizens Advice – 0808 164 6000 • Argyll and Bute Council Trading Standards – 01546 605 519 • Argyll and Bute Council – https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/my-council/how-contact-us • Transport Scotland – road related incidents and road closures - https://www.traffic.gov.scot/traffic-information/incidents • Scottish Water - https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/Help-and-Resources/Contact-Us 0800 0778 778 • NHS24 (including mental health support) – 111 or https://www.nhsinform.scot/ 73% Satisfied/Very Satisfied Total of 562 responses Police Estates Isle of Bute We are delighted to confirm that work has commenced on the Isle of Bute to renovate the existing police station. These extensive works will ensure that we are future proofing policing on the Isle of Bute for years to come. Local communications will be delivered over the coming period to highlight any impact in the short term to the local community. Oban Replacing Oban police station is a priority for Police Scotland. Our estates team will carry out detailed research to identify potential estate solutions where officers can serve the town and wider area effectively. No decisions have been taken at this time. There may be further public consultations launched in the future when we have identified a site. In the meantime, we will make necessary repairs and investment to the existing building to ensure it meets health and safety requirements.