Renfrewshire SBR_Dec 2025
Renfrewshire Council · 13 January 2026
Back to Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee — 13 January 2026 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 Renfrewshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: 01/04/25 - 31/10/2025 Total Crime 10,330 Incidents Recorded Overall Dishonesty Domestic Abuse Incidents +5.1% +6.1% +9.1% +5.7% -3.2% -24.9% Road Traffic Casualties -1% Sexual Crime 12,358 1,130 2,262 1,323 1,252 273 79 3,777 Overall Violent Crime Missing People 481 110 Common Assault -9.1% Housebreaking Disorder Complaints Unless otherwise stated, all data provided within this report is for the period 1 April 2025 - 31 October 2025, with comparisons made against the same period in the 2024/25 period. All statistics are provisional and should be treated as management information. All data have been extracted from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as at 01/12/2025. +15.8% -6.1% -16.3%
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2 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Renfrewshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: 1 April 2025 to 31 October 2025 Introduction I am pleased to present this report to the Police Fire and Rescue Committee for its information and consideration. 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 comparable period in the preceding reporting year. Chief Superintendent Rhona Fraser Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Divisional Commander SECTION PAGE NUMBER Introduction 2 Executive Summary 3 Demand Analysis 4 Antisocial Behaviour, Violence & Disorder 5 Protecting Vulnerable People 6 Acquisitive Crime 7 Cyber and Digital Crime 7 Road Safety and Road Crime 8 Public Confidence - Complaints & Allegations 9 Recent Initiatives and Results 10 Forthcoming Initiatives 10
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3 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL PRIORITY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Violent crime in Renfrewshire increased by over five percent, with an increase in minor and serious violence and a slight shift towards violence within private dwellings. A quarter of all recorded crimes of violence were linked to domestic abuse. Weapons offences increased by over 22 percent, driven by a proactive focus on the issue. While wilful fireraising crimes and antisocial behaviour incidents fell, vandalism crimes increased by nearly five percent. Recorded sexual crimes fell by approximately three percent, driven by a reduction in non-contact (often cyber-enabled) sexual offences. Missing person reports fell by over -16%, with care-experienced young people continuing to feature in the majority of incidents. Domestic abuse incidents increased by over nine percent. 19 suspected drug-related deaths, and 131 near-fatal overdoses were reported in Renfrewshire. Crimes of dishonesty rose by approximately six percent in Renfrewshire, driven largely by a rise of over 26 percent in shoplifting crimes. However, housebreaking crime and common theft crimes both fell on the previous year. Cyber-enabled fraud and sextortion remain key concerns, with ongoing multi-agency efforts to prevent online harm. Overall, road casualties have fallen in Renfrewshire, with a reduction in deaths as well as fewer serious and slight road injuries. A proactive focus on road safety and road crime resulted in a significant increase in recorded road traffic offences, with the Road Policing Unit continuing to provide invaluable assistance to the Division. RENFREWSHIRE POLICING PRIORITIES 2023 - 2026 POLICE SCOTLAND’S POLICING PRIORITIES 2023 - 2026 Protecting vulnerable people Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Division continues to support a multi-agency approach to reduce drug deaths, to engage with Scottish Government and stakeholders to influence approaches to supporting individuals with complex mental health needs, and to work in partnership to develop local effective and efficient pathways to support vulnerable people. Working with communities The Division continues to support this Police Scotland priority and to develop strategic partnerships to find synergy in policy making and shared resources. Police in Renfrewshire recognise the importance of engaging with communities to understand their needs, and strive to support innovation in local partnership settings. Tackling crime in the digital age Police in Renfrewshire continue to benefit from the support of specialised Police Scotland units such as the Cybercrime Unit and the Economic Crime and Financial Investigation Unit, amongst others. There are continued efforts to ensure our Officers have the training, resources and equipment needed to tackle the threat arising from cyber related criminality and technological advancement. Police in Renfrewshire continue to receive support from the Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Unit (part of the national Specialist Crime Division) in relation to the investigation and prevention of online sexual crimes targeting children. Support for operational policing Renfrewshire Police continue to link in closely with Police Scotland’s Corporate Services who enable and support operational resources to deliver against the strategic priorities and their outcomes. As part of the Digitally-Enabled Policing Programme, migration to new national Core Operational Systems has led to increased efficiency and deployability of local Police Officers, allowing them to more effectively serve Renfrewshire’s communities.
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4 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL DEMAND ANALYSIS PYTD - PREVIOUS YEAR TO DATE CYTD - CURRENT YEAR TO DATE CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 14,440 14,893 Total number of incidents 49,497 52,181 Crimes and Offences In line with an increase at the national level (+8.4%) the number of recorded crimes and offences in Renfrewshire rose by +15.8% on the same period in 2024/25, to a total of 10,330. With the sole exception of Group 2 sexual offences (which decreased by -3.2%), there was an increase in all crime groups’ recorded totals. Group 1 non-sexual crimes of violence (e.g. threats and extortion, common assault and robbery) rose by +3.4%; Group 3 crimes of dishonesty (e.g. theft from motor vehicles, housebreaking and shoplifting) increased by +6.1%; Group 4 crimes of damage and reckless behaviour (e.g. culpable and reckless conduct and vandalism) rose by +2.7%; Group 5 crimes against society (e.g. drug possession and supply offences, possession of offensive weapons), rose by +21%; Group 6 antisocial offences (e.g. breach of the peace, hate aggravated conduct) which increased by +13.7%; Group 7 miscellaneous offences (e.g. environmental offences, community and public order offences), which increased by +13.9%; and Group 8 road traffic offences (e.g. speeding, offences relating to vehicle defects, and careless driving), which increased +41.5% on the previous year. The detection rate for all crimes and offences stands at 70.3%, above the detection rate for the same period in 2024/25 (69.2%) and also national detection rate for the same reporting period (66.3%). Police Incidents Contrasting with the rise in recorded crime in Renfrewshire, the total number of Police incidents have fallen -6.1% on the previous year, with a total of 29,358 recorded. The pattern of incident changes demonstrates that policing demand is steadily reshaping itself. Rising volumes of abusive or threatening communications, neighbour disputes, domestic bail checks and public nuisance calls highlight a shift towards interpersonal conflict (both offline and cyber-enabled), community tensions and risk management within private settings. At the same time, falling volumes in silent emergency calls, thefts, bail and curfew checks, noise complaints, routine information reports and missing person/absconder cases, reveal a decline in several traditional, high volume policing tasks. The overall picture is one of a service moving toward more complex, relationship driven and digitally influenced problems. CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 8,924 10,330 Total number of incidents 31,265 29,358
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5 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL VIOLENCE, ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND DISORDER Violence Recorded violent crimes in Renfrewshire increased by +5.7% compared to the previous year, with a total of 1,252 crimes. Most of these - 1,130 crimes - were common assaults, with minor violence rising by +5.1% on the previous year. Meanwhile, overall crimes of serious violence (i.e. attempted murder, murder, serious assault and robbery) rose by +11.9% to a total of 122 crimes - predominantly due to a rise in crimes of robbery and assault with intent to rob. A significant proportion (44%) of recorded violent crimes occurred within private dwellings, with a slight increase in crimes of violence occurring with residential settings. The shift towards private space violence continues to pose additional challenges due to its hidden nature, lack of witnesses, and the greater likelihood of offenders being known to their victims and exerting fear and intimidation over them. Nearly a quarter of recorded violent crimes in Renfrewshire occurred within the context of domestic abuse, with the vast majority of these crimes occurring within private households. Weapons Offences A total of 314 offensive / bladed weapons offences were recorded in Renfrewshire during the reporting period, marking a +22.2% increase on the previous year. 189 crimes related to the use of weapons in other criminality, with the remaining crimes relating to carriage of weapons. A proactive approach to tackling the issue of weapon-carrying in Renfrewshire contributed to an increase of 53.4% in the number of stop and searches for weapons. Collaboration with partner agencies is ongoing, aimed at educating young people about the risks and consequences of carrying weapons and diverting them away from criminal activity. Disorder and Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Crimes of damage and reckless behaviour in Renfrewshire have increased by +2.7% on 2024/25 figures, with 729 recorded - largely attributable to an increase of nearly five percent in recorded crimes of vandalism. However, wilful fireraising crimes fell by -20.8%, from 72 crimes in 2024/25 to 57 in the current reporting period. Public-reported incidents of ASB and disorder fell by one percent, with 3,777 incidents recorded. Police in Renfrewshire continue to engage in a multi-agency response to ASB, building on the proactive work carried out through the Partnership Hub and ensuring effective plans are in place to address community risks in Renfrewshire. Hate Crime 179 hate crimes were recorded in Renfrewshire in the reporting period - a drop of -12.3% on the previous year. The hate crime detection rate is 66.5%. Race continues to be the most commonly targeted protected characteristic, featuring in 65% of recorded hate crimes in Renfrewshire, with victims being targeted on the basis of sexual orientation in a further 23% of hate crimes. Half of all reported hate crimes were threatening or abusive behaviour offences, with a further quarter relating to hate aggravated conduct (including stirring up hatred).
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6 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Sexual Crime 273 sexual crimes have been recorded in Renfrewshire in the reporting period - a decrease of -3.2% on the previous year’s total of 282 crimes. Conversely, at the national level recorded sexual crimes have increased by +10.4%. In Renfrewshire, there is a divergence in the trend for contact offences such as rape and sexual assault (which have increased by +3.6% on the previous year), and non-contact offences (such as indecent communications, indecent images of children, and threats to disclose intimate images (which have fallen by -9.7%). Nearly 28% of recorded sexual offences were linked to domestic abuse, with two-thirds of sexual crimes occurring within private residential settings. A sizeable proportion - almost 23% - of recorded sexual offences continues to be attributable to non-recent reporting, though a steady decline in non-recent reporting is evident. The detection rate is 54.2%, comparable to the previous year’s rate of 55.3%. Missing People In the reporting period, a total of 481 missing person reports were recorded - an decrease of -16.3% on the same period in 2024/25, in which 575 missing person reports were received. In the current reporting period, a total of 211 individuals were reported missing - with 65 of these being repeat missing persons (i.e. being reported missing on multiple occasions). Over three quarters of all missing person reports involved young people (aged under 18 years) going missing, with a majority of these young people being care experienced. We continue to engage with appropriate partners to safeguard and reduce threat risk and harm to our most vulnerable people, especially when they go missing. Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse incidents in Renfrewshire increased by +9.1% compared to the previous year, totalling 1,323. 42.9% of these incidents resulted in a domestic crime being recorded, with a total of 843 domestic abuse crimes in the reporting period. This equates to a +5.1% rise on 2024/25 figures. The most common recorded domestic crimes were common assault (n=291), threatening and abusive behaviour (n=145) and bail offences (n=87). The detection rate improved slightly, rising from 68% to 68.7%. The MATAC (Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination) and MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) frameworks remain vital in safeguarding victims, providing tailored support, coordinating partnerships, and ensuring agency accountability. We will continue to work together with our partners to ensure that victim centred approach adopting he most suitable support to victims and families. Drug Related Deaths In the reporting period, 19 suspected drug-related deaths and 131 near-fatal overdoses have been recorded in Renfrewshire. Drugs assessed to be involved in the death cases were most commonly heroin, synthetic drugs, cocaine and benzodiazepines, with these substances also commonly implicated in reported near-fatal overdose cases. Local officers have been conducting proactive initiatives and intensification days, while also collaborating with the Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) to provide support, guidance, and resources aimed at reducing drug-related harm. PROTECTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE
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7 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME A total of 2,262 crimes of dishonesty were recorded - an increase of +6.1% on the previous year. Theft by shoplifting constituted 45% of all recorded crimes of dishonesty, with crimes of this type rising by +26.4% on the previous year. In response to the rise in recorded shoplifting crime, several action plans have been implemented at various hotspot locations across Renfrewshire, targeting repeat offenders and providing prevention advice to retailers and security staff. The Retail Crime Task Force continues to develop and deliver a coordinated response to Retail Crime through a 4Ps Approach - PREVENT, PROTECT, PURSUE and PREPARE. The aims of the Task Force include: better understanding the drivers for retail crime and mitigate against them; providing local Policing Divisions with analytical products to enhance their response to retail crime; identification of linked crimes and offenders and the facilitation of coordinated, robust investigations; supporting retailers with the provision of bespoke crime prevention tools and advice; and the development of prevent strategies and interventions, specifically for high harm recidivist offenders. This focused strategy has contributed to the shoplifting detection rate rising from 44.1% in 2024/25 to 53.41% in the reporting period. Excluding theft by shoplifting, overall recorded crimes of dishonesty have otherwise fallen by over seven percent, illustrating the disproportionate impact that retail crime has on wider acquisitive crime trends. The drop in acquisitive crime includes a reduction in crimes of housebreaking (-9.1%) and common theft (-21.1%). Acquisitive crimes targeting motor vehicles (including theft of motor vehicles and theft of contents of vehicles) remain a key concern, with an overall rise of +4.4%. CYBER & DIGITAL CRIME As well as keeping people safe on the streets, Police in Renfrewshire work to keep the public safe online. The internet has brought efficiencies to the ways we live and work, however, online access also comes with risks, like exposure of inappropriate content to young people, cyberbullying and scams - and it has contributed to a growing proportion of crimes having a cyber footprint. As such, tackling cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes remains a key concern in Renfrewshire. Similar to the national picture, the most commonly recorded cyber-crimes in Renfrewshire are electronic communications offences (predominantly relating to menacing and threatening messages sent via SMS or instant messaging platforms), online crimes of fraud, and sexual extortion crimes. Other cyber-enabled criminality impacting on local communities include offences relating to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children (IIOC), indecent communications, and threats to disclose intimate images. We continue to tackle the issue of cyber-crime through local partnerships, preventions-focused educational inputs to schools and community groups and national collaboration with the Cyber Scotland Partnership and the financial sector to raise awareness of online fraud.
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8 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME Road Traffic Casualties 2024/25 2025/26 Number of persons killed on our roads 3 2 Number of persons seriously injured 37 31 Number of persons slightly injured 65 46 Number of children seriously injured 4 4 Road Traffic Data from 01/04/2025 to 31/10/2025 Road Casualties In the reporting period, there were 79 road casualties in Renfrewshire - a reduction of 26 compared to the same period in 2024/25. This incorporates a reduction in road deaths, serious and slight injuries, while the number of children seriously injured remained unchanged on the previous year. 55% of road casualties involved car drivers or passengers, with pedestrians and motorcyclists involved in a further 19% and 11%, respectively. Police Scotland remains committed to reducing road casualties through ongoing enforcement and education efforts. The dedicated Road Policing Unit (RPU) from Police Scotland’s Operational Support Division continues to support local policing through a range of road safety and crime prevention campaigns. Police in Renfrewshire also undertake speed checks in areas based on information received from members of the public and elected members relating to problem locations for speeding and dangerous driving. Officers will continue their focus along with the RPU, local partners, and communities to enhance road safety with efforts being coordinated through our established Road Safety Group. Road Traffic Offences Recorded road traffic offences in Renfrewshire have increased by +41.1% on 2024/25 figures, totalling 2,603 in the reporting period. This exceeds an increase of +17% across Scotland as a whole. A proactive focus on road safety and road crime by local officers in Renfrewshire, alongside specialist road policing support provided by the Operational Support Division, have resulted an increase in recorded speeding offences (+90.6%), vehicle defect offences (+115.7%), drink and drug driving offences (+33.3%) and careless driving offences (+66%). The detection rate for these offences is 88%, above the previous year’s rate (85%) and the national rate (87.5%).
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9 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE: COMPLAINTS & USER SATISFACTION YOUR POLICE - PUBLIC CONFIDENCE DATA Recent community feedback highlights a range of public safety concerns shared by members of Renfrewshire’s communities including concern relating to acquisitive crime, violence against women and girls, child protection concerns, and hate crime. However, the most common issues highlighted by members of the community continue to be antisocial behaviour and disorder, road safety and road crime, and drug supply and misuse. Community feedback consistently shows a strong preference for more localised and visible policing. Residents regularly highlight the importance of having officers actively present in their neighbourhoods, reinforcing the value of this engagement. COMPLAINTS A total of 76 complaint cases and 128 allegations have been received in Renfrewshire in the period April to September 2025, with a reduction in both categories compared to the same period in 2024. 86 allegations were ‘On Duty’, with a further 42 relating to quality of service. ‘Irregularity in procedure’ continues to feature as the most common type of allegation in Renfrewshire. Proportion of respondents who: Renfrewshire Scotland report feeling safe or fairly safe in their local area 79% 79.3% felt well informed about local police activities taking place in the last 12 months 10.8% 14.5% felt that Police were doing a good job in the local area 31.7% 28.9% had confidence in Police in their local area 42% 36.8% reported an increase in concern about crime in the last 12 months 49.6% 53.3%
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10 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL LOCAL POLICING PRIORITY OUTCOMES – CASE STUDIES Preventions and Interventions Engagements In recent months, the Preventions and Interventions Team have focused on issues including cyber-crime and online safety, increasing the awareness of young people of various cyber-threats and how to stay safe from these. Preventions work has also centred on the ‘Darker Nights’ campaign, with engagement with various retailers to increase property security in the lead up to the festive period. Crime prevention leaflet drops also took place, focusing on areas which analysis identified experience a heightened risk of being targeted during the winter period. In partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Preventions Team also delivered several inputs to school pupils throughout Renfrewshire in the lead up to Bonfire Night, to raise awareness of risks and encourage safety-conscious and responsible behaviour during this period. Young People in Contact with the Law In response to identified issues of violence and weapons offences involving young people, action plans were implemented in identified hotspot areas. These included measures such as increased patrols, use of Stop and Search legislation where appropriate, engaging with young people and retail workers in affected areas. These action plans have resulted in a decrease in crimes of violence involving young people, alongside an increase in weapon recoveries. The issue continues to be monitored with a partnership approach involving several stakeholder agencies. Proactive Focus on Drug Distribution and Supply Police executed a warrant at a property in Camphill Court, Paisley on 21 October 2025, recovering a significant quantity of cannabis valued at up to one hundred thousand pounds. Two individuals were arrested and charged, with a report submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. This was a meaningful disruption to local drug activity which reflects the Division’s ongoing support of the national Serious Organised Crime Strategy, and commitment to reducing drug harms within Renfrewshire. FORTHCOMING INITIATIVES Road Safety and Road Crime Initiatives In the forthcoming months, Police in Renfrewshire will support the Road Policing Unit in the delivery of several campaigns, including the Festive Drink Drug Drive Campaign which runs from 1 December to 18 January, as well as the Commercial Vehicles Campaign which will run from January into February. Town Centre Initiative Officers are providing extra patrols within Paisley Town Centre with dedicated resources ring fenced in response to violence identified in youths within this area. We are working alongside our partners within the Local Authority and British Transport Police. 12 Days of Christmas Action Plan Officers from Renfrewshire Division will take part in working with partners as part of an interoperability plan to deter crime, be visible and keep people safe this Christmas. The itinerary will consist of days of action tackling local and National priorities. Police will regularly update on our planned activity via social media platforms and offer safety advice for those who intend on visiting our towns. Braehead Action Plan In collaboration with our partners at Braehead and our Retail Crime Task Force we will deploy within the shopping centre and its environs to ensure we are visible during the expected uplift in footfall.