Item 7a - Police Scrutiny Report
West Dunbartonshire Council · 26 February 2025
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 26 February 2025 and its agenda
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL West Dunbartonshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: April 24 to December 24 Total Crime 28 Crimes Incidents 20,258 Recorded Dishonesty Crimes 1380 Domestic Abuse Inc 1066 +1.1% -4.9% +10.5% +5.2% +25% -28.6%* Road Deaths & Serious Injuries 20 -10.7%* Sexual Crime 175 -1143*PYTD +8*PYTD, +84*5YR AVG -71*PYTD, +199*5YR AVG +101*PYTD, +79*5YR AVG +53*PYTD, +164*5YR AVG +35*PYTD, +24*5YR AVG -8*on PYTD -328*PYTD Violent Crime 1075 Missing People 261 Counter Terrorism +24*PYTD +10.1%* -33*PYTD, -35*5YR AVG Common Assault 726 -26.2% Housebreaking 93 Disorder Complaints 2,731 The National Terrorism Threat level is SUBSTANTIAL This means that an attack is likely. *PYTD = Previous Year to Date *5YR = 5 year average +0.4% -5.3%
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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 Organized Crime 8 Violence 9 Antisocial Behaviour 10 Public Confidence - Complaints & Allegations 11 Introduction I am pleased to present this performance summary report to the West Dunbartonshire Housing Committee for its information and consideration. The Reporting Period for this report is cumulative for Quarters 1 to 3 of 2024/25, with available figures being shown from 1st April 2024 through to 31st December 2024. 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 December 2024, acquisitive crimes have reduced by 4.9% from 1451 to 1380 crimes compared to the same period last year. Increases in both shoplifting and mainly online social engineering fraud crime has been offset by continued reductions in theft by housebreaking at residential properties and also common thefts. Public Protection Group 2 sexual crimes have seen an increase of 25% with 175 crimes recorded compared to 140 at the end of December last year. This is largely due to a rise in number of rape crimes and sexual assaults recorded rising from 27 to 45 and 50 to 57 crimes respectively. These increases are due to an increase in non- recent reporting with just over half of all crimes being non-recent in nature. Increases in such offences are always concerning but with over 50% of reports relating to historical incidents, it evidences an increased confidence in Police Scotland to make such reports after sometimes considerable passages of time. Road Safety & Road Crime The number of fatal road traffic collisions within West Dunbartonshire remains unchanged at the end of Qtr. 3, with only 1 collision recorded in the current period. Road traffic collisions involving serious injuries have reduced from 27 to 19, and collisions involving slight injuries have also decreased from 23 to 18. Serious Organised Crime At the end of December 2024, drugs supply crimes show a substantial increase of 24.56% from 57 to 71 crimes while possession charges continue to see a reduction from 437 to 354. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 16 persons linked to serious and organised crime (SAOC) have been arrested and £2,595,658 seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). Violence & ASB At the end of December 2024, Group 1 crimes of violence have increased slightly with 1075 crimes compared to 1022 the previous year to date, while anti-social behaviour (ASB) related crimes have also risen from 871 to 999 due to increases in breach of the peace/threatening abusive behaviour (+49) and consuming alcohol within a public place (where appropriate bye laws exist (+54). 1. Acquisitive Crime 2. Public Protection 3. Road Safety & Road Crime 4. Serious Organised Crime 5. Violence & Anti-social behaviour WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE POLICING PRIORITIES 2023-2026
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 7728 7756 Total number of incidents 21,401 20,258 DEMAND ANALYSIS - * PYTD - PREVIOUS YEAR TO DATE CYTD - CURRENT YEAR TO DATE * * * * The total volume of crimes and offences recorded within West Dunbartonshire has seen a marginal increase when compared to the previous year while the current figure is also slightly above the previous 5-year average (+5.4%). Crimes of violence (+5.2%), sexual crimes (+25%) and anti-social offences (+14.7%) continue to see an upward trend compared to the previous year. Crimes of violence and sexual crime are both currently above the previous 5-year average which is in line with the post-covid trajectory. Crimes against society such as drug and weapons offences have reduced marginally by 1.1% with the current figure (1154) also 5% below the previous 5-year average (1214). Both acquisitive crime and crimes relating to damage and reckless behaviour have also seen a reduction on last year from 1451 to 1380 (-71) and 731 to 696 (-35) crimes respectively.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME Shoplifting crimes continue to see an increase compared to the previous year from 534 to 600 and remains above the previous 5-year average. Year to date, 51 more shoplifting crimes have been detected. This is in line with the national picture across the rest of the Force. At the end of December 2024, thefts of motor vehicles have increased by 20.9% from 47 to 56 crimes, while the current figure is also 21.7% above the previous 5-year average (46). Approximately 32% of crimes related to taking/driving a vehicle without consent of the owner, while a further 12 crimes involved thefts of motorcycles. The detection rate has increased from 46.5% to 50%. There continues to be an increase in fraud crimes at the end of Qtr. 3 from 152 to 188 crimes, which is above the 5-year average of 147. The increase is largely due to a rise in social engineering frauds (+9), bank account takeovers (+7) and frauds involving stolen credit/debit cards (+4). The detection rate for fraud crime is currently at 12.2%, which is a decrease from 23.7% PYTD. Many perpetrators of fraud offences generally are based out with the UK. Common thefts have seen a 12.1% reduction compared to the PYTD down from 380 to 334 crimes remaining fractionally above the 5-year average of 329. The detection rate has remained fairly consistent at 23.7% compared to 26.8% the previous year. The reduction by 4.9% from 1451 to 1380 crimes compared to the same period last year is an encouraging statistic when compared to the overall increase at the end of Q2 when measured against the previous year Q2 figure. We have increased proactive patrols of hotspots while working with other Policing Divisions and National Specialist Departments to detect and disrupt individuals and serious and organised crime groups involved in the theft of motor vehicles. We have established a short-life working group led by the CID involving the National Crime Unit to drill down into the fraud stats to better understand the potential areas where improvement can be made, ideally reducing fraud occurring however when it does, increasing the detection rate. Another very significant habitual shoplifter was remanded for a period of imprisonment during Q3. Our continued activity around diversion via the arrest referral scheme and other partnership work with the ADP & Partners continues to seek redirection from criminality for both adult & youth repeat offenders.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL The volume of non-recent sexual crimes being reported remains high, some of this is a result of increased engagement with victims and growing confidence in the officers in these specialist roles. We are further developing the work of The Safeguarding Team, mentioned in the Q2 summary, by establishing strong working links between these Officers and the Preventions Team who are trained in various crime prevention techniques and resolves. We are developing a menu of preventative measures available including alarms, surveys, home security measures and also the offer of referral to addiction services as appropriate. We are looking to break the cycle of violence that has become normalised behaviour. Although an increase is never welcomed, the volume of domestic incidents had risen 15% at the end of Q2 against the PYTD and has now decreased to 10.5% measured against the PYTD. Missing persons figures have risen which relates directly to a specific group of youths repeatedly going missing. We have held professional multi-agency meeting with our SW colleagues to bring this figure down while continuing to support and protect the youths involved. At the end of December 2024, Group 2 crimes have increased by 25% (+35) compared to the same period last year. The increase is largely due to a rise in rape offences from 27 to 45 crimes, while sexual assaults have also risen slightly from 50 to 57 (+7) year on year. Approximately 83% of rape crimes occurred in a private place and 83% were committed by persons known to the victim. Similarly, around 62% of sexual assaults also occurred in a private place with 66% committed by persons known to the victim. Approximately 58% of rape crimes during this reporting period relate to non-recent reports, which is an increase from 41% PYTD. The detection rate for rape crime is currently at 46.7%, while the detection rate for sexual assaults has decreased from 60% to 40.4% year on year. Detection rates are impacted by the volume of non-recent reports. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have seen marginal change compared to last year with the majority of crimes being committed by strangers via online platforms. The number of domestic abuse incidents has increased by 10.5% compared to PYTD from 965 to 1066, while the number of crimes recorded have also risen from 568 to 791 crimes as at the end of Qtr. 3. There has also been a 1.9% increase in the crime/incident conversion rate from 48.7% to 50.6%. A total of 261 missing person reports have been recorded by the end of December 2024, which is an increase of 10.1% from 237 last year. PUBLIC PROTECTION
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL At the end of Qtr. 3, the number of fatal road collisions in West Dunbartonshire, is unchanged from the position in the same period last year (n=1). Both serious and slight injuries have reduced 18.99% from 27 to 19 (-8) and 21.74% from 23 to 18 (-5) respectively. Offences relating to motor vehicles have also seen a reduction of 3.9% from 2153 to 2070 (-83), largely due to a decrease in speeding offences (-102) and unlawful use of motor vehicle offences such as using a motor vehicle without a test certificate and insurance offences (-125). Crimes such as drink/drug driving offences (+49) and vehicle defect offences (+94) have both seen an increase compared to PYTD. Road Traffic Casualties 2023/24 2024/25 Number of persons killed on our roads 1 1 Number of persons seriously injured 27 19 Number of persons slightly injured 23 18 Number of children seriously injured 0 0 Inspector Fiona Davidson took up post as Road Policing Inspector for the area at the start of Q3, Fiona has previously held a number of posts across L Division and is very aware of the important role this specialist department has in keeping people safe on our roads. The volume of high visibility traffic patrols continues to influence driver behaviour which is evidenced in the decrease in speeding offences while showing an increase in detections for both drink/drug driving and vehicle defects. Targeted, intelligence led policing is removing these drivers from the roads rendering them safer for the vast majority of drivers operating within the law. Pro-active social media messaging and a visible policing patrol matrix has assisted the crash statistics to remain well below the PYTD through the more challenging weather at the year end. The Partnership Approach to Road Safety Group, chaired by Police Scotland, is now reviewing all fatal crash locations in partnership with the Local Authority and Roads Authority to ascertain what, if any, improvements can be introduced to improve the safety of the road network and best prevent further accidents at the same location. The established partnership with The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and SFRS is proving both popular and beneficial providing training resources by way of educational films, access to resources and the opportunity to attend advanced driver training. ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 16 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £2,595,658 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2024. At the end of December 2024, drug supply charges have increased from 57 to 71 crimes and is also slightly above the previous 5-year average (63.6). Drug possession charges have seen a reduction of 19% from 437 to 354. Our Serious & Organised Crime Team continue to target those groups and individuals involved in the supply of controlled drugs into the communities. Their work, which is often protracted requiring weeks or months of work, is having the desired outcome. At the end of Q2 the detections for drug supply offences sat at 9.3% above the PYTD, that figure is now 24.56% above the PYTD. In addition to this substantial rise, further persons linked to serious and organised crime (SAOC) have been arrested and now a total of £2,595,658 has been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). We have engaged the services of the Lived Experience Speakers from the National Violence Reduction Unit who have delivered inputs to the pupils at The Vale of Leven Academy and are now also scheduled to do likewise at Our Lady & St Patricks. The feedback from pupils and staff has been very encouraging, the inputs are covering gang culture, drugs, misogynistic attitudes and also the importance of having a personal exit strategy to remove yourself from potentially harmful situations. We are sitting on the Drug Death Review group to better understand how, where and when police and / or partners can positively impact on a person’s lifestyle and signpost that individual to the most appropriate service to provide assistance, guidance and support to break their dependency on illegal drugs. We are now referring people who find themselves in police custody due to addiction issues to support services for both alcohol and drug dependency in an attempt to remove them from the criminal justice process. SERIOUS & ORGANISED CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR The Area Commander is continually looking at analytical products to best deploy resources to be at the right place at the right time to address violence and ASB. The rise in levels of violence being at 5.2% at the conclusion of this reporting period is a substantial drop from the 10.3% rise against PYTD at the end of Q2. Although a rise, the curve is flattening, and continued efforts are expected to cause this increase on the PYTD to narrow or actually reduce. Our previously discussed scrutiny around robberies, has almost removed the increase against the PYTD figure completely, we are now a single crime above the PYTD figure at the end of Q3. That compares to a 40% rise at the end of Q2 on the PYTD. The importance of our continued work around the referral of people in police custody to addictions and support services for alcohol and drugs is further evidenced by the fact that nearly 50% of persons involved in serious assault crimes were under the influence. Levels of violence in West Dunbartonshire have increased by 5.2% from 1022 to 1075 (+53) crimes. Just over half of all crimes took place in a private place. Furthermore, 38% of public space crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Robberies have increased marginally from 27 to 28 crimes, 18 occurred in a public place (12 on a public street and 6 at commercial premises). The remaining 10 crimes occurred within residential premises. Fifteen robberies were committed by persons known to the victim and 13 were committed by strangers. The detection rate for robbery has increased from 48.1% to 64.3%, which equates to an additional 5 crimes being detected year on year. Serious assaults have also seen a slight increase from 54 to 59 crimes with crimes being largely spilt 60/40 in terms of public/private space and 65% were committed by persons known to the victim (4 were domestic related). Nearly half of all crimes were committed with the victim and/or offender being under the influence of alcohol/drugs or both and 53% of crimes involved the use of a weapon. The detection rate has reduced marginally from 75.9% to 72.9%.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Common assaults have increased marginally by 1.1% from 718 to 726 and are currently above the 5-year average (642), while common assaults on police and emergency workers have also risen marginally by 3.6% compared to PYTD. Around 56% of common assaults occurred in private space settings and in 44% of public space crimes, offenders were known to victims. The detection rate for common assaults overall has remained fairly consistent from 56.4% to 57.3%. Across the recording period the number of ASB related calls to Police Scotland has reduced by approx. 10.1% compared to last year. Anti-Social related offences (Group 6) have increased by 14.7% with 999 crimes recorded compared to 871 PYTD, however the current figure remains 7.7% below the previous 5-year average (1082.4). VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR We are providing support and identifying any additional training needs for our officers that are victims of violence. Being a Police Officer is demanding and can be dangerous, but we continue to strive to reduce physical assaults on officers and staff, it is not acceptable to assault any emergency worker. The further reduction in ASB calls in this reporting period is particularly pleasing considering it includes Bonfire Night and both the Christmas and New Year periods when licensed premises are busier and social gatherings peak. The build up to 5th November and the following days are historically busy for us and SFRS. Great credit is due to the work of ourselves and partners in SFRS and West Dunbartonshire Council in the partnership approach to the Bonfire period this year. Substantial early partnership engagement ensured a relatively peaceful period with minor ASB issues arising across the authority. West Dunbartonshire ASB Team worked tirelessly to remove materials from various areas assisted by police. The date itself saw a very effective and efficient multi- agency operational order being utilised with a rapid response to issues as they arose minimising any negative impact on the community.
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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 70.1%, which remains in line with the position in 2022/23. During November 2024, Police Scotland were in the top five for highest volume of 999 calls received in the UK with 86.10% of calls answered within 10 secs. Police Scotland achieved an average speed of answer of 9.51 seconds, within the target answering time of 10 seconds. Again, during December 2024, Police Scotland were again in the top five for highest volume of 999 calls received with 88% of calls answered within 10 secs. Police Scotland achieved an average speed of answer of 8.72 seconds, which was within the target answering time of 10 seconds. Chief Inspector Simon Shanks took over as Area Commander from Kirsten McLatchie during this reporting period with the responsibility for all local policing activity in West Dunbartonshire. Police Scotland produced the results of the National Staff Survey to The Divisional Senior Leadership team who are currently working on an action plan to consider any changes to working practices to address any issues raised in the survey to improve employee satisfaction. User Satisfaction results show that locally, public confidence levels remain high within Argyll and West Dunbartonshire with overall satisfaction levels at 70%, which remains in line with the position in 2022/23. Total of 428 responses 70% Satisfied/Very Satisfied
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