Renfrewshire SBR_Sep 2025 Final
Renfrewshire Council · 28 October 2025
Back to Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee — 28 October 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 Renfrewshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: 01/04/25 - 31/08/25 Total Crime 7,553 Incidents Recorded Overall Dishonesty Domestic Abuse Incidents +5.6% +18% +3.7% +3.7% -13.3% -28.2% Road Traffic Casualties +2.1% Sexual Crime 21,478 828 1,679 930 899 182 51 2,827 Overall Violent Crime Missing People 370 79 Common Assault -13.2% Housebreaking Disorder Complaints Unless otherwise stated, all data provided within this report is for the period 1 April 2025 - 31 August 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 10 September 2025. +17.8% -4% -6.8%
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2 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Renfrewshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: 1 April 2025 to 31 August 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 slightly, though crimes of serious violence fell by nearly –15%. A proactive focus on weapon-related criminality contributed to an increase of +26% in recorded weapons offences. Police in Renfrewshire continue to contribute to a multi-agency response to tackle the issue of knife crime and violence. Although crimes of damage and reckless behaviour have increased, there has been a significant reduction in crimes of wilful fireraising. Recorded sexual crimes fell by over -13%, with fewer contact and non-contact offences recorded. Domestic abuse incidents and crimes increased slightly on last year’s figures. Missing person reports have decreased, though care-experienced young continue to feature in the majority of cases. 15 suspected drug-related deaths, and 103 near-fatal overdoses were reported in Renfrewshire. Crimes of dishonesty rose by +18% in Renfrewshire, driven largely by a rise of over 49% in shoplifting crimes. However increases were also noted in respect of acquisitive crimes targeting motor vehicles and fraud crime. 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 slight and serious road injuries. However, road fatalities increased from one to three. Police Scotland remains committed to road safety through enforcement, education, and partnership work, including local speed checks and national campaigns. 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 Consistent with an increase at the national level (+10.4%) the number of recorded crimes and offences in Renfrewshire rose by +17.8% on the same period in 2024/25, to a total of 7,553. This overall rise is attributable to an increase in Group 1 non-sexual crimes of violence (e.g. threats and extortion, common assault and robbery), which rose by +0.9%; Group 3 crimes of dishonesty (e.g. theft from motor vehicles, housebreaking and shoplifting), which increased by +18%; Group 4 crimes of damage and reckless behaviour (e.g. culpable and reckless conduct and vandalism) which increased by +8.5%; Group 5 crimes against society (e.g. drug possession and supply offences, possession of offensive weapons), which rose by +20.6%; Group 6 antisocial offences (e.g. breach of the peace, hate aggravated conduct) which increased by +13.8%; Group 7 miscellaneous offences (e.g. environmental offences, community and public order offences), which increased by +7.9%; and Group 8 road traffic offences (e.g. speeding, offences relating to vehicle defects, and careless driving), which increased +39.6% on the previous year. Meanwhile, Group 2 sexual offences (e.g. rape, sexual assault, indecent communications) fell by -13.3%. The detection rate for all crimes and offences stands at 69.5%, above the detection rate for the same period in 2024/25 (65.9%) and also national detection rate for the same reporting period (also 66.2%). Police Incidents Contrasting with the rise in recorded crime in Renfrewshire, the total number of Police incidents have fallen by four percent on the previous year, with a total of 21,478 recorded. However, when incidents relating to abandoned/silent 999 calls (which have fallen by 42.4% on 2024/25 figures, due to the rollout of smartphone software updates to reduce the incidence of accidental 999 calls) are discounted from the year-on-year comparison, an increase of +0.5% continues to be noted in respect of the number of recorded Police incidents - with continued indications of a growing and evolving demand on Police in Renfrewshire. We continue to work closely with partner agencies to ensure the implementation of the most appropriate and proportionate response to identified issues. CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 6,394 7,553 Total number of incidents 22,366 21,478
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5 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL VIOLENCE, ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND DISORDER Violence Recorded violent crimes in Renfrewshire increased by +3.7% compared to the previous year, with a total of 899 crimes. Most of these - 828 crimes - were common assaults, with minor violence rising by +5.6% on the previous year. Meanwhile, overall crimes of serious violence (i.e. attempted murder, murder, serious assault and robbery) fell by -14.5% to a total of 71 crimes (12 fewer victims). A significant proportion (44%) of recorded violent crimes occurred within private dwellings, with a slight increase (nearly three percent) 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. Approximately 22% 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 245 offensive / bladed weapons offences were recorded in Renfrewshire during the reporting period, marking a +26.3% increase on the previous year. 143 crimes related to the use of weapons in other criminality, with a further 102 crimes relating to carriage of weapons. A proactive approach to tackling the issue of weapon-carrying in Renfrewshire contributed to an increase of 12.5% in the number of stop and searches for weapons. detections for these crimes. Collaboration with partner agencies continues to educate young people about the risks and consequences of carrying weapons, as well as to divert them away from criminal activity. Disorder and Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Crimes of damage and reckless behaviour in Renfrewshire have increased by +8.5% on 2024/25 figures, with 548 recorded - largely attributable to an increase of +9.5% in recorded crimes of vandalism. However, wilful fireraising crimes fell by -10.9%, from 55 crimes in 2024/25 to 49 in the current reporting period. Public-reported incidents of ASB and disorder increased by +2.1%, with 2,770 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 125 hate crimes were recorded in Renfrewshire in the reporting period - a drop of -20.9% on the previous year. The hate crime detection rate is 72%. Race continues to be the most commonly targeted protected characteristic, featuring in 55% of recorded hate crimes in Renfrewshire, with victims being targeted on the basis of sexual orientation in a further 22% of hate crimes.
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6 OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Sexual Crime 182 sexual crimes have been recorded in Renfrewshire in the reporting period - a decrease of -13.3% on the previous year’s total of 210 crimes. Conversely, at the national level recorded sexual crimes have increased by +9.5%. Overall, non-contact offences (including indecent communications and threats to disclose intimate images) have fallen by -16.2%; meanwhile, contact offences fell by -10.5%. 55 sexual crimes (30% of the total) were linked to domestic abuse, with almost 70% of sexual crimes occurring within private residential settings. 23% of recorded sexual crimes stemmed from non-recent reporting, with specific challenges associated with the investigation and detection of such crimes, due to the passage of time and resulting loss of various forensic opportunities. The detection rate was 49.5%, compared to the national rate of 60.8%. Missing People In the reporting period, a total of 370 missing person reports were recorded - an decrease of -6.8% on the same period in 2024/25, in which 397 missing person reports were received. In the current reporting period, a total of 160 individuals were reported missing - with 56 of these being repeat missing persons (i.e. being reported missing on multiple occasions). 286 reports involved young people (aged under 18 years) going missing, with over 72% of young people reported missing 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 +3.7% compared to the previous year, totalling 930 incidents. 41.7% of these incidents resulted in a domestic crime being recorded. A total of 576 domestic abuse crimes have been recorded - a drop of -3.4% on 2024/25 figures. The most common recorded domestic crimes were common assault (n=199), threatening and abusive behaviour (n=94) and bail offences (n=63). The domestic abuse detection rate has increased from 64.6% to 69.3%. 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, 15 suspected drug-related deaths and 103 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 1,679 crimes of dishonesty were recorded - an increase of 18% on the previous year. Theft by shoplifting constituted 46% of all recorded crimes of dishonesty, with crimes of this type rising by +49.2% 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. Excluding theft by shoplifting, overall recorded crimes of dishonesty have otherwise fallen by -3.3%, illustrating the disproportionate impact that retail crime has on wider acquisitive crime trends. Notable decreases in crimes of dishonesty include crimes of housebreaking (including attempted housebreaking), which have fallen by -13.2% to a total of 79 crimes; and common theft, which is down by -17.3% (355 crimes). However, acquisitive crimes targeting motor vehicles (including theft from locked and insecure vehicles, as well as theft and attempted theft of vehicles themselves) have risen +29.8% on the previous year, totalling 135 crimes; while fraud crimes are up by +7.7% with a total of 209 recorded crimes. CYBER & DIGITAL CRIME Cyber-enabled crime remains a significant concern for communities in Renfrewshire. Public electronic communications offences constitute an increasing proportion of recorded cybercrimes - predominantly relating to the sending of menacing and threatening via SMS or instant messaging platforms. Other commonly recorded cybercrimes include cyber-enabled sexual extortion, indecent communications offences, and threats to disclose intimate images. Over a third of recorded fraud crimes were tagged as cybercrimes, with continued indications of an ever-expanding range of online fraud M.O.s being used. The total loss to victims arising from fraud in Renfrewshire in the reporting period was in excess of £635,000. We continue to address this issue 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 1 3 Number of persons seriously injured 21 19 Number of persons slightly injured 49 29 Number of children seriously injured 1 3 Road Traffic Data from 01/04/2025 to 31/08/2025 Road Casualties In the reporting period, there were 51 road casualties in Renfrewshire - a reduction of 20 compared to the same period in 2024/25. However, against a backdrop of declining slight and serious road injuries (-20 and -2 respectively), road fatalities increased from one, to three, year-on-year. 27 (53%) of road casualties involved car drivers or passengers, with pedestrians and motorcyclists respectively accounting for the highest proportion of remaining road casualties. 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 +39.6% on 2024/25 figures, totalling 1,898 in the reporting period. This exceeds an increase of +21.2% 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 (+89%), vehicle defect offences (+129.4%), drink and drug driving offences (+32.5%) and careless driving offences (+84.7%). The detection rate for these offences is 89%, above the previous year’s rate (85.1%) and the national rate (87.2%).
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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, serious and organised crime, and hate crime. However, the most common issues that members of the community expressed concern over were antisocial behaviour and disorder, road safety and road crime, and drug supply and misuse. Community feedback continues to strongly reflect a desire for more localised and visible policing, and greater presence at local community meetings. Many residents consistently expressed a desire for more visible policing presence in neighbourhoods, highlighting the value the public places on having officers actively present and engaged in their daily environments. COMPLAINTS A total of 44 complaint cases and 73 allegations have been received in Renfrewshire in the period April to June 2025. While complaint cases have fallen on lasy year, the total number of allegations received has increased slightly. 54 allegations were ‘On Duty’, with a further 19 relating to quality of service. The largest proportion of allegations related to irregularity in procedure. Proportion of respondents who: Renfrewshire Scotland report feeling safe or fairly safe in their local area 69.8% 77.1% felt well informed about local police activities taking place in 10.3% 14.7% felt that Police were doing a good job in the local area 18.6% 25.8% had confidence in Police in their local area 30.8% 33.7% reported an increase in concern about crime in the last 12 61.9% 56.7%
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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 delivered various summer camp inputs to young people throughout Renfrewshire - centred on issues including violence and knife crime . The Preventions Team have also delivered financial harm inputs to various community groups, in addition to online safety educational sessions delivered to West College Scotland students. In the lead up to International Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August, the team also supported community and support agency events in Renfrewshire from, as well as running social media campaigns to raise awareness of local and national support mechanisms for substance misuse and addiction. Retail Crime With support from the national Retail Crime Taskforce, Police in Renfrewshire continue to tackle the issue of acquisitive crime targeting retail premises. Action plans are in place in relation to several hotspot locations/premises for retail crime. This has contributed to successful criminal justice outcomes including charges being brought against a high tariff retail crime team who were responsible for losses of over £20,000 to retailers. Antisocial Use of Off-Road Vehicles In response to an identified rise in complaints and growing public concern relating to the antiso- cial and dangerous use of off-road vehicles (such as quad bikes, trail, and scrambler bikes) of- ficers from our Local Problem-Solving Team (LPST) and Road Policing Division have been working together on various action plans to tackle this in terms of prevention, and enforcement to reduce these. Young People in Contact with the Law In response to identified issues of violence and weapons offences involving young people, action plans have been developed in relation to identified hotspot areas. This has included increased patrols, use of Stop and Search legislation where appropriate, and engaging with young people and retail workers in affected areas. The issue continues to be monitored with a partnership approach. Work is also underway with the Renfrewshire Youth Team to establish clearer channels to share information and intelligence of young people at risk. Joint work is on- going on diversionary programmes with the ‘Good Vibes’ project in Renfrewshire. FORTHCOMING INITIATIVES After Dark Campaign Plans are underway relating to the delivery of the After Dark Campaign, which focuses on the prevention of housebreaking crime in the winter months - with criminals often taking advantage of darker nights and shorter daylight hours. The campaign will also cover other seasonal considerations - including Chinese New Year and religious festivals such as Ramadan and Eid - with homes occupied by families celebrating such festivals often targeted by criminals looking to steal gold, jewellery and cash. 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 Operation Dark Night (targeted at improving pedestrian safety in the darker months), Operation Drive Insured, and the Festive Drink Drug Drive Campaign.