Item 7a - Police Scotland Q1 Scrutiny Report
West Dunbartonshire Council · 12 August 2026
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 12 August 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 West Dunbartonshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: April to June 26 Total Crime 115 Crimes Incidents 6103 Dishonesty Crimes 615 Domestic Abuse Inc 339 +15.6% +11.4% -15.9% +8.7% +23.8% -28.6%* Road Deaths & Serious Injuries 5 -13.6%* Sexual Crime 104 -716*PYTD +40*PYTD, +48*5YR AVG +63*PYTD, +183*5YR AVG -64*PYTD, -9*5YR AVG +32*PYTD, +46*5YR AVG +20*PYTD, +41*5YR AVG -2*on PYTD -133*PYTD Violent Crime 400 Missing People 72 Counter Terrorism +5*PYTD +7.5%* -19*PYTD, -9*5YR AVG Common Assault 297 -39.6% Housebreaking 29 Disorder Complaints 842 The National Terrorism Threat level is SUBSTANTIAL This means that an attack is likely. *PYTD = Previous Year to Date *5YR = 5 year average +3.8% -10.5% ITEM 7a
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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 4 of 2026/27, with available figures being shown from 1st April through to 30th June 2026. 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 OFFICIAL PRIORITY AREA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Acquisitive Crime At the end of Qtr. 1, acquisitive crimes have increased by 11.4% from 552 to 615 crimes compared to the same period last year. This is largely attributed to a rise in shopliftings (+97) and fraud related crime (+46) compared to 2025/26, while housebreakings and vehicle crimes have seen overall reductions. Public Protection Group 2 sexual crimes have also risen by 23.8% with 104 crimes recorded compared to 84 at the end of 2025/26. This is largely due to an increase in the number of sexual assaults from 20 to 44 crimes, while rape offences have also risen marginally compared to the same period last year. Road Safety & Road Crime There were no fatal road traffic collisions within West Dunbartonshire as at the end of Qtr. 1 which is unchanged from the position in 2025/26. Road traffic collisions resulting in serious injuries have reduced marginally with 5 recorded compared to 7 last year while those resulting in slight injuries have also reduced by three. Serious Organised Crime As at the end of Qtr. 1 drugs supply crimes show an increase of 56% from 9 to 14 crimes while possession charges have also risen slightly from 107 to 113 crimes. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 3 crimes linked to persons associated with serious and organised crime have been recorded and £28,606 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2026. Violence & ASB At the end of Qtr. 1, Group 1 crimes of violence have increased by 8.7% with 400 crimes compared to 368 the previous year to date. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) related crimes have also risen slightly by 4.8% from 356 to 373 largely due to increases in alcohol related offences (+12) year on 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 OFFICIAL CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 3030 3145 Total number of incidents 6819 6103 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 (+20.8%). Acquisitive offences have experienced the highest increase during the current reporting period (+63) followed by Group 5: Crimes against society (+37) and crimes of violence (+32). Crimes relating to damage and reckless behaviour (-47) and road traffic offences (-14) have both seen slight reductions.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME At the end of Qtr. 1, shoplifting crimes have seen an increase of 43.5% compared to the previous year from 223 to 320 and are currently above the previous 5-year average (155). Much of the increase YTD is due to a rise in crimes within the Dumbarton and Alexandria areas with various repeat loci being targeted by prolific shoplifters. The detection rate for shoplifting has reduced from 58.7% to 35.9% year on year. Fraud has also seen an increase of 64.3% from 56 to 92 crimes during the current reporting period. Frauds involving stolen or lost credit/debit cards have seen the highest increase YTD (+10) followed by social engineering (+8) and bank account takeovers (+7). The detection rate for fraud has seen a reduction of 14.3% from 39.3% to 25%. Housebreaking crimes have seen a reduction compared to the previous period from 48 to 29 crimes, which is also below the 5-year average of 38. This is largely attributed to a decrease in housebreakings at commercial premises (-19 crimes), while crimes at domestic dwelling have also marginally reduced from 27 to 23 crimes year on year. The detection rate for housebreaking overall is currently at 21%, which is decrease from 33.3% the previous period. Common thefts have also reduced slightly from 128 to 106 crimes and is marginally below the 5-year average (111). The detection rate has decreased slightly by 5.2%, from 29.7% to 24.5% year on year. Police Scotland is actively tackling acquisitive crime in West Dunbartonshire through targeted enforcement and strategic partnerships. To combat a recorded increase in shopliftings and frauds, which is reflective of the national picture, officers established a retailers consortium and introduced a radio link scheme to improve instant communication between businesses. Additionally, the area secured vital funding from the Police Scotland Retail Crime Taskforce for additional dedicated patrols in the main shopping precincts. These rising retail and cyber-enabled offenses have placed significant pressure on resources, contributing to a corresponding reduction in the overall detection rate. Despite these specific operational challenges, targeted policing initiatives have delivered successful outcomes in other sectors. Local teams achieved a positive, highly encouraging reduction in the total number of reported housebreakings and common thefts across the region during this period.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Police Scotland handles public protection in West Dunbartonshire with the utmost priority. Over the April to June quarter, sexual assaults more than doubled, and reported rapes saw a very marginal increase. Approximately half of these reports were non-recent incidents. Crucially, these offences are treated with top priority, achieving a detection rate of nearly 80%. Through proactive partnership working, there has been a very welcome reduction in the stubbornly high volume of reported domestic incidents. While the percentage of these incidents resulting in recorded crimes increased, the overall volume dropped. Police continue to actively engage with the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) group and other local partners to deal with and fully support domestic abuse victims. At the end of Qtr. 1 2026/27, Group 2 crimes have increased by 23.8% (+20) compared to the same period last year. Much of the increase is due to a rise in sexual assault, which have more than doubled from 20 to 44 crimes, while rape offences have also risen marginally from 20 to 23 crimes. Approximately 87% of rape crimes occurred in a private space setting with the majority being committed by persons known to the victim. Around 55% of sexual assaults also occurred in a private place and 72% of crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Non-recent reports accounted for just over half of all crimes (54%) during the current reporting period. The detection rate for rape has increased slightly compared to last year from 70% to 78%, with an additional 4 crimes detected in number terms. The detection rate for sexual assault also remains high at 77.3%. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have remained fairly consistent compared to last year from 35 to 32 crimes. Approximately 81% of crimes were committed via online platforms with half being committed by persons known to the victim and 50% were by unknown profiles encountered through social media or online chat rooms. The number of domestic abuse incidents has reduced by 15.9% compared to PYTD from 403 to 339, while the number of crimes recorded has risen by 20% from 278 to 334 as at the end of Qtr. 1. The crime/incident conversion rate has increased by 7.1% from 48.4% to 55.5%. A total of 72 missing person reports have been recorded by the end of Qtr. 1, which is a slight increase of 7.5% from 67 last year. PUBLIC PROTECTION
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL At the end of Qtr. 1, there were no fatal road collisions recorded in West Dunbartonshire, which is unchanged from the position last year. Serious injuries have reduced marginally from 7 to 5, while the number of slight injuries has seen a slight decrease (-3). There were no serious injuries involving children in either reporting period. Offences relating to motor vehicles have seen a slight reduction of 1.5% from 944 to 930 (-14). Increases in speeding offences (+25), careless driving (+12) and driving under the influence (+12) have been offset by reductions in vehicle defect offences (-27), unlawful use of motor vehicle (- 12), dangerous driving (-9) and drivers neglect of traffic directions (-8). Road Traffic Casualties 2024/25 2026/27 Number of persons killed on our roads 0 0 Number of persons seriously injured 7 5 Number of persons slightly injured 7 4 Number of children seriously injured 0 0 Over the past quarter, Police Scotland activity across West Dunbartonshire has significantly enhanced road safety and tackled road crime. Positively, the area recorded zero fatal road traffic collisions alongside a noticeable reduction in collisions resulting in both serious and minor injuries. Divisional Road Policing Unit and local policing officers are currently prioritising the National Motorcycle Safety Campaign and the Summer Drink Drive Campaign. These joint operations target careless driving and vulnerable road users through both high-visibility enforcement and educational engagements. Alongside these campaigns, dedicated Youth Engagement Officers have been delivering the Young Drivers Programme. This vital educational initiative has reached all S6 pupils across all five secondary schools in West Dunbartonshire, focusing on equipping new drivers with the knowledge and attitudes required for safe motoring. A significant ongoing challenge for officers, which is being seeing across the country, is the use e-scooters and illegal electric motorcycles. To combat this, the local community policing team have been successfully running an action plan targeting their use. This proactive operation resulted in numerous e-scooters and illegal bikes being seized. Furthermore, several riders have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a variety of road traffic offences. Overall, our continued enforcement and educational activities appear to be successful in positively influencing driver behaviour. This proactive, two-pronged approach has no doubt contributed to keeping the roads safer, as evidenced by the corresponding reduction in casualty statistics. ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 3 crimes linked to persons associated with serious and organised crime have been recorded and £28,606 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2026. As at the end of Qtr. 1, drug supply charges have risen from 9 to 14 crimes, while drug possession charges have also seen a slight increase from 107 to 113 crimes. Both figures are currently below the previous 5-year average however. Police Scotland continues to proactively target serious organised crime across West Dunbartonshire using intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks and reduce community harm. Between April and June 2026, the division recorded an almost 60% year-on-year increase in drug supply offences, all of which were successfully detected, alongside a smaller but positive increase in drug possession offences. Officers also secured a small year-on-year increase in cash seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Crucially, proactive enforcement is yielding clear health and safety dividends. There were zero drug-related deaths during this reporting period, and the number of near-fatal overdoses marginally declined. To achieve this, Police Scotland continues to work closely with the Alcohol and Drug Partnership to reduce the harms associated with drug misuse in our communities. Our Youth Engagement Officers have continued to engage with young persons in the area, highlighting the risks of drug misuse. SERIOUS & ORGANISED CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR In the quarter from April to June 2026, Police Scotland recorded an almost 10% increase in violent crime across West Dunbartonshire. While disappointing, this trend aligns with the national picture. However, a highly positive development is the almost 10% improvement in the detection rate for serious assault. An almost 40% reduction in the number of assaults on police and other emergency workers is also welcome news. Because a significant portion of serious violent crimes in the area involve weapons, officers continue to utilise stop search powers where appropriate. High tariff offenders are identified and actively pursued through local tasking. There has been a year-on-year increase in the number of stop searches being conducted in the area, along with a corresponding increase in the number of positive stop searches. Levels of violence in West Dunbartonshire overall have increased by 8.7% from 368 to 400 (+32) crimes. Approx. 53% of all crimes took place in a private place. Furthermore, just over 40% of public space crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Much of the increase is attributed to the rise in common assaults from 257 to 297 year on year. Both the number of serious assaults and robberies have risen marginally from 11 to 15 crimes (+4) and 7 to 9 (+2) respectively. Approx. 80% of serious assaults occurred within a public space and around 73% of crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Eleven of the 15 crimes involved the use of a weapon with 6 being a knife or bladed instrument. 90% of robbery crimes occurred within a public space with all but one crime relating to a street robbery involving victims who were approached and assaulted in the street before being deprived of personal items such as mobile phones, cash or jewellery. Five crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. The detection rate for robbery has reduced by 19% from 85.7% to 66.7%, while the DR for serious assault has increased from 63.6% the previous year to 73.3%.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Common assaults have experienced an increase of 15.6% (+40 crimes) and is currently above the 5-year average (249). This has been offset by a reduction of 36.9% in assaults on police and emergency workers (-24 crimes). Around 55% of common assaults occurred in private space settings and in 46% of public space crimes, offenders were known to victims. Much of the increase on last year is attributed to a rise in domestic assaults from 87 to 107 crimes as at the end of Qtr. 1, while assaults involving neighbours and family members have also seen slight increases. Across the recording period the number of ASB related calls to Police Scotland has reduced by approx. 14% compared to last year from 1314 to 1129. Anti-social related offences (Group 6) however have increased by 4.8% with 373 crimes recorded compared to 356 PYTD, while the current figure is above the previous 5-year average (341). Stop searches have increased slightly from 165 to 171 but remains below the previous 5-year average. VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Police Scotland is executing targeted operations in West Dunbartonshire to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB). Over the recent April to June quarter, police recorded an almost 15% year- on-year reduction in ASB-related calls, although there was a slight increase in recorded ASB- related crimes. Collaborative efforts with West Dunbartonshire Council form the foundation of local intervention, ensuring a swift response to community issues. Officers are also operating joint patrols to address a significant surge in antisocial behaviour involving personal watercraft (jet skis) on Loch Lomond. This recent spike is largely attributed to an extended period of good weather. To resolve this issue, local police are working in partnership with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority to enforce loch byelaws. Continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders and partner agencies is also ongoing to develop a broader range of options for mitigating this problem.
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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 68.1%, albeit this is a notable reduction from the position as at the end of the 2025/26 reporting period (82%) but in line with the position across the West (68.3%). National Key Figures – Local Policing User Experience Survey Results April to June 2026 (Q1 FY2026/2027) National Average (Satisfied or Very Satisfied) L Division (Satisfied or Very Satisfied) Ease of contact 67.5% 68.0% Being provided with appropriate response 62.3% 61.7% Overall satisfaction 68.1% 68.1% Trading Standards Operation Almost 30,000 illegal cigarettes were seized across West Dunbartonshire in June, following a joint operation between Trading Standards, local community policing officers and Home Office staff. Following concerns raised by the community, an intelligence-led enforcement operation was carried out, involving the search of several shops in the Clydebank area. Approximately 30,000 illegal cigarettes and 10kg of hand rolling tobacco were seized. The contraband was found to be either counterfeit, or otherwise not for legal sale in the UK. A five figure sum of money was also seized which was subsequently handed over to the courts for confiscation proceedings. 68.1% Satisfied/Very Satisfied Total of 144 responses