Item 7a - Police Scotland Q1 Scrutiny Report
West Dunbartonshire Council · 20 August 2025
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 20 August 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 West Dunbartonshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: April to June 25 Total Crime 662 Crimes Incidents 6,779 Recorded Dishonesty Crimes 570 Domestic Abuse Inc 405 +2.3% +34.8% +13.4% -1.3% +50% +50%* Road Deaths & Serious Injuries 6 +3.6%* Sexual Crime 87 -99*PYTD +6*PYTD, +38*5YR AVG +147*PYTD, +185*5YR AVG +48*PYTD, +70*5YR AVG -5*PYTD, +55*5YR AVG +29*PYTD, +33*5YR AVG +2*on PYTD +34*PYTD Violent Crime 383 Missing People 67 Counter Terrorism -14*PYTD -17.3%* +17*PYTD, +8*5YR AVG Common Assault 267 +58.6% Housebreaking 46 Disorder Complaints 969 The National Terrorism Threat level is SUBSTANTIAL This means that an attack is likely. *PYTD = Previous Year to Date *5YR = 5 year average +26.9% -1.4% ITEM 7a
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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 4 of 2025/26, with available figures being shown from 1st April 2025 through to 30th June 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 – Anti-social offences Group 2 - Sexual Crimes Group 7 – Miscellaneous Offences Group 3 - Crimes of Dishonesty Group 8 – Road traffic offences Group 4 – Damage and reckless behaviour PYTD - Previous Year to Date Group 5 – Crimes against society CYTD - Current Year to Date
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OFFICIAL PRIORITY AREA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Acquisitive Crime At the end of Qtr. 1, acquisitive crimes have increased by 35% from 423 to 570 crimes compared to the same period last year. Most crime types have experienced an increase compared to the PYTD with both shopliftings and common thefts having risen by 55 and 33 crimes respectively. Public Protection Group 2 sexual crimes have also risen by 50% with 87 crimes recorded compared to 58 at the end of 2024/25. This is largely due to an increase in the number of crimes relating to indecent images/communications from 13 to 37 crimes with the majority predominantly being committed online. Both rape offences and sexual assaults have also increased slightly by 7 and 3 crimes respectively, albeit non-recent reporting continues to account for a significant proportion of crimes. Road Safety & Road Crime The number of fatal road traffic collisions within West Dunbartonshire remains unchanged at the end of Qtr. 1 compared to last year with no fatalities recorded. The cumulative total of road traffic collisions resulting in both serious and slight injuries has remained static at 10. Serious injury collisions have seen a rise from 4 to 6, while slight injury collisions have reduced from 6 to 4. Serious Organised Crime At the end of Qtr. 1, drugs supply crimes show a reduction of 60% from 20 to 8 crimes while possession charges have experienced marginal change from 115 to 116 crimes. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 12 crimes linked to persons associated with serious and organised crime have been recorded and £17,910 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2025. Violence & ASB At the end of Qtr. 1, Group 1 crimes of violence have reduced by 1.3% with 383 crimes compared to 388 the previous year to date, while anti-social behaviour (ASB) related crimes have risen from 292 to 365 due to increases in breach of the peace/threatening abusive behaviour (+73) compared to last year. 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 CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 2460 3122 Total number of incidents 6878 6779 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 an overall increase when compared to the previous year while the current figure is also above the previous 5-year average (+24.2%). Most crime types have experienced increases compared to last year, with the exception of slight reductions in violent crime (-1.3%), and crimes relating to damage and reckless behaviour (-2.6%). Road traffic offences (+62.3%) have experienced the most significant increase year on year from 592 to 961 crimes followed by acquisitive crimes (+34.8%) from 423 to 570.
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OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME At the end of Qtr. 1, shoplifting crimes have continued to see an increase compared to the previous year from 171 to 226 and remains above the previous 5-year average. Year to date, encouragingly, 47 more shoplifting crimes have been detected. The increase in crime levels is in line with the national picture across the rest of the Scotland. Motor vehicle crimes have also increased by 65.7%, which is due to a rise in thefts from motor vehicles from 8 to 32 crimes, which is also considerably above the previous 5 year average (11). Much of the increase has been attributed to a repeat offender whose MO is to target insecure (unlocked) vehicles for personal belongings at various loci in both Clydebank and Alexandria. The detection rate for vehicle crime has reduced by 12.4%. Fraud crimes have experienced a reduction of 8% at the end of Qtr. 1 from 65 to 60 crimes but remain slightly above the 5-year average of (54). Although there has been a notable increase, frauds involving stolen credit/debit cards (+10), this has been offset by reductions in social engineering, online marketplace and identity frauds. The detection rate for fraud crime is currently at 33.3%, which is an increase from 10.8% PYTD. Common thefts have risen by 30.3% compared to 2024/25 from 109 to 142 crimes, which is currently above the 5-year average of (104). The detection rate has improved, rising from 28.4% to 28.9% year on year, an additional 10 crimes have been detected in number terms. We are continuing to work with our retail partners across West Dunbartonshire to best prevent theft, we are offering security advice and ensuring the areas with retail outlets are being provided with an appropriate police service. We are liaising regularly with Retailers Against Crime (RAC) and neighbouring police divisions to identify and detect travelling criminals targeting retail stores. We are seeking bail conditions when appropriate to restrict the movements of persistent offenders to best protect retailers and their staff. We experienced a spate of vehicle related thefts as can be seen in the attached data. An action plan was established at the earliest opportunity and a prolific offender was arrested and put before the courts; he is currently fully committed for trial charged with 19 acquisitive crimes in West Dunbartonshire. In response to this spike in acquisitive crime, we utilised our Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) to deliver vehicle safety leaflets across the area that had been targeted to offer advice around keeping property, vehicles and valuables safe.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Any rise in sexual crime is always a concern. However, the increase is exacerbated by the continued reporting of historical offences which has been, in part, facilitated by the evolving safeguarding work centred around victims of domestic violence. The rapport between specialist officers and victims is providing the confidence and safe space for these historical offences to finally be disclosed. It is providing substantial evidence to put before the court to ensure restrictions are imposed on perpetrators to protect those at most risk of harm. Domestic violence remains a priority for the division, and we are constantly working with partners through the Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) group, Women’s Aid, Victim Support Scotland and others to prevent, protect and support women and children from abuse. The Youth Engagement Officers are delivering online safety inputs to school pupils to make them aware of the dangers and impact that inappropriate messaging can have on both the sender and recipient while also addressing any misogynistic attitudes. At the end of Qtr. 1 2025/26, Group 2 crimes have increased by 50% (+29) compared to the same period last year. Both rape offences and sexual assaults have both experienced increases year on year from 14 to 21 crimes (+7) and 18 to 21 (+3) respectively. Approximately 91% of rape crimes occurred in a private space setting with the majority being committed by persons known to the victim. Similarly, around 74% of sexual assaults also occurred in a private place with 83% being committed by persons known to the victim. Just over half of all rape offences and sexual assaults recorded during this period related to non-recent reports, which is in line with the position during the PYTD period. The detection rate for rape has reduced by 27.3% from 92.3% to 65% while the detection rate for sexual assault has risen by 38.9%and is currently at 100%. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have also experienced an increase compared to last year from 13 to 37 crimes with the majority being committed by strangers via online platforms. The number of domestic abuse incidents has increased by 13.4% compared to PYTD from 357 to 405, while the number of crimes recorded have also risen slightly from 265 to 288 as at the end of Qtr. 1. The crime/incident conversion rate has reduced slightly from 54.3% to 48.4%. A total of 67 missing person reports have been recorded by the end of Qtr. 1, which is a decrease of 17.3% from 81 last year. PUBLIC PROTECTION
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OFFICIAL At the end of Qtr. 1, the number of fatal road collisions in West Dunbartonshire, is unchanged from the position last year with none recorded during both periods. Serious injuries have marginally risen from 4 to 6, while slight injuries have seen a marginal reduction (-2) year on year. Offences relating to motor vehicles have seen a significant increase of 62.3% from 592 to 961 (+369). Speeding offences have experienced the highest increase (+150) followed by unlawful use of motor vehicle such as licence, insurance and registration offences (+106) and vehicle defect such as construction and lighting offences (+64). The increase in vehicle offences is testament to proactive policing within West Dunbartonshire during Qtr. 1. Road Traffic Casualties 2024/25 2025/26 Number of persons killed on our roads 0 0 Number of persons seriously injured 4 6 Number of persons slightly injured 6 4 Number of children seriously injured 0 0 Continued road safety campaigns revolving around the main causes of road traffic collisions, those being speed, driver distraction, wearing of seatbelts and drink and drug driving, have contributed to the combined fatal, serious and minor injury crash stats remaining static when compared to the previous year. We have been utilising social media to good effect when providing information and guidance on best practice to remain safe on the roads. Officers from the Divisional Preventions Team, Youth Engagement and Traffic officers, supported by our colleagues within the Camera Safety Partnership delivered road safety inputs to every West Dunbartonshire secondary school. The events included youths being provided with a Virtual Reality (VR) headset which placed them within a vehicle involved in a serious road crash and provided them with a crash victim’s view of the emergency service response. They were also shown actual Go-Pro video footage of a young driver involved in a fatal road crash. The film allows for discussion around driving standards, hazard perception and general behaviour when within a vehicle before providing footage of the immediate aftermath of the impact between the lead vehicle and an oncoming vehicle. The film is narrated by the sister of the male who sadly died in this incident and is very impactful indeed. We delivered the event to 500 West Dunbartonshire pupils in total who, from feedback, found the event to be thought provoking and worthwhile as they reach that age where they will be driving or indeed be the passenger in a vehicle. The significant increase in road traffic offence detections is a direct result of our increased efforts and pro-active work to make the roads safer within West Dunbartonshire. Both divisional and specialist traffic officers have been involved in road traffic action plans to educate drivers, effect driver behaviour and detect those persons committing road traffic offences. We have been removing uninsured vehicles from the roads and reporting offenders to the court to have those persistent offender’s licences appropriately endorsed or indeed have individuals disqualified altogether from driving. ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME
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OFFICIAL Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 12 crimes linked to persons associated with serious and organised crime have been recorded and £17,910 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2025. At the end of Qtr. 1, drug supply charges have reduced from 20 to 8 crimes, which is currently below the previous 5-year average (20.2). Drug possession charges have remained fairly consistent from 115 to 116 crimes. Divisional Serious & Organised Crime Officers are progressing various intelligence led packages which will come to fruition in the coming months and bring the drug supply stats back in line with previous years. These protracted investigations targeting those involved in the distribution of controlled drugs at a higher level are both resource intensive and time consuming but very impactful once they come to fruition. Work to fully implement an Arrest Referral Scheme (ARS) within police custody suites is progressing in partnership with the West Dun Alcohol & Drug Partnership (ADP). We are awaiting analytical review of ARS data from other council areas to better understand the most effective method of removing people with addiction issues from the Criminal Justice system, to reduce offending that is committed to fund addiction while signposting individuals to the appropriate support and in doing so, reduce crime. Our Youth Engagement Officers took delivery of two new up-to-date drug education boxes which allow for a better understanding of the modern drug trends and associated dangers. These will be fully utilised within the education system to provide the best level of teaching and learning to the school pupils. The work of our YEOs cannot be underestimated, and they are working hard to prevent youths becoming involved with controlled drugs and in doing so reducing the drug demand where these SOCGs operate and prosper. At the end of this reporting period, the division has established a Flexible Policing Unit. The remit of this team, which is comprised of officers with various specialisms and experience, will be to target those involved in violence, ASB & drugs among other issues that arise. Having this team will allow us to react immediately to spontaneous situations while also providing the ability to dedicate resources to planned activity around criminal behaviours. SERIOUS & ORGANISED CRIME
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OFFICIAL VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Deployment of officers based around analytical data of crime stats is proving very effective and is reflected in the significant reductions of both robberies and serious assaults. We are ensuring, as efficiently as is possible, that our resources are where they should be and at the times where data is informing us that criminal behaviour is most likely to occur. The rise in ASB related crime is in part also a consequence of our deployments and the associated pro-active patrols and enforcement action by officers. We will be utilising the new Flexible Policing Team, to identify the individuals and locations where ASB is more evident, and these resources will be used to impact on this unacceptable behaviour. Preventions Officers are liaising daily with our colleagues within the Local Authority and other RSLs to identify problematic addresses and individuals and thereafter, through a partnership approach, take the necessary action to eliminate the issue. That ranges from in-person joint visits and warnings through to eviction and the issuing of anti-social behaviour orders via the court. Levels of violence in West Dunbartonshire overall have marginally reduced by 1.3% from 388 to 383 (-5) crimes. Approx. 53% of all crimes took place in a private place. Furthermore, 32% of public space crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Both the number of serious assaults and robberies have decreased significantly year on year from 26 to 11 crimes (almost 58%) and 14 to 9 crimes (almost 36%) respectively. Approx. 82% of serious assaults occurred within a public space and around half of all crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. 64% of crimes were committed whilst the victim and/or offender was under the influence of alcohol. Robberies were largely spit 60/40 in terms of private/public space with the majority of crimes occurring within a residential premise (n=6), 2 were street robberies and one occurred at a commercial locus. 70% of all crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. The detection rates for robbery and serious assault have both reduced from 85.7% to 66.7% and 72% to 63.4% respectively.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Despite an overall reduction in violence, common assaults have increased slightly by 2.3% from 261 to 267 and is currently above the 5-year average (229). Common assaults on police and emergency workers have also risen by 44.4% (+20) compared to PYTD. Around 59% of common assaults occurred in private space settings and in 47% of public space crimes, offenders were known to victims. The detection rate for common assaults overall has increased slightly from 63.1% to 68.7%, which equates to an additional 35 crimes detected. Across the recording period the number of ASB related calls to Police Scotland has increased slightly by approx. 3.5% compared to last year. Similarly anti-social related offences (Group 6) have increased by 25% with 365 crimes recorded compared to 292 PYTD, however the current figure remains 3% below the previous 5-year average (376). VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Saturday 12th April saw the official launch of Operation Balaton 2025. Key partners were hosted by the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park at their HQ for the inaugural meeting which was chaired by Supt. Mark Stirling, a press photograph and article followed. An enhanced media campaign around Operation Balaton has been devised with Corporate Comms this year. We facilitated a local press ‘walkabout’ with the Community Policing Team taking place prior to the official launch meeting and a further opportunity afterwards whereby STV / BBC reporters interviewed Area Commander Simon Shanks in relation to the operation, focussing on partnership working and key safety messages. The operation continues to draw a high level of commitment from key stakeholders and the weekly meetings are well attended and meaningful. We have trained officers supporting the NP Rangers through joint boat patrols on the loch. They are addressing some of the lower level ASB incidents such as careless use of jet-skis which are receiving more immediate and collaborative attention. The Cameron House estate security team are new partners this year, providing the partnership with more engaged coverage along the shoreline even further increasing the effectiveness of the operation.
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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 82%, which is above the position as at the end of Qtr. 1 during the 2024/25 reporting period (68.1%). National key figures June 2025 Local policing user experience survey National hate crime user experience Satisfaction with initial contact 86% (87% last month) 74% (72% last month) Satisfaction with attending officers (where relevant) 84% (85% last month) - Overall satisfaction 68% (72% last month) 56% (59% last month) 82% Satisfied/Very Satisfied Total of 152 responses Saturday 12th April L-Divisions open day, ‘To Emergencies & Beyond’ was held at Lomond Shores, Balloch and was supported by 32 partner agencies. Highlights of the event were the Police Pipe Band, Air Support Unit and practical demonstrations by the dog section from the Ministry of Defence Police and a casualty rescue by the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat. Important messages were front and centre around water and road safety, ahead of the busier times for all agencies. The event was well attended with an estimated footfall of 12,000 members of the community visiting throughout the day from as far away as Falkirk. Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive with all partners already committing to future events.