Police Scotland Argyll & Bute Performance Summary Report - Reporting Period: April 2025 - March 2026
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 June 2026
Back to Community Services Committee — 4 June 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 x Argyll & Bute Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: April 25 to March 26 Total Crime 737 Crimes Incidents 18,888 Overall Dishonesty 861 Domestic Abuse Inc 702 +1.5% +7.4% +2.6% -4.5% +27.5% -29%* Road Deaths & Serious Injuries 42 -2.3%* Sexual Crime 292 -1096*PYTD, -1738*5YR AVG +11*PYTD, +161*5YR AVG +59*PYTD, +116*5YR AVG +18*PYTD, +37*5YR AVG -49*PYTD, +179*5YR AVG +63*PYTD, +64*5YR AVG -17*on PYTD -38*PYTD Violent Crime 1043 Missing People 168 Counter Terrorism +31*PYTD +22.6%* -11*PYTD, -28*5YR AVG Common Assault 766 -17.5% Housebreaking 52 Disorder Complaints 1640 The National Terrorism Threat level is SUBSTANTIAL This means that an attack is likely. *PYTD = Previous Year to Date *5YR = 5-year average +11.2% -5.5%
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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 Organised Crime 8 Violence 9 Antisocial Behaviour 10 Public Confidence - Complaints & Allegations 11 Introduction I am pleased to present this performance summary report to 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 31st March 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. 4, acquisitive crimes have seen an increase of 7.4% from 802 to 861 crimes. This has largely been driven by an increase in common thefts throughout Argyll and Bute (+19.7%), while shoplifting (-20) and housebreaking offences (-11) have both seen reductions year on year. Public Protection Group 2 sexual crimes have also risen by 27.5% from 229 to 292 crimes. Sexual assaults have seen an increase of 33 crimes year on year while rape offences have reduced by 8 crimes. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have also continued to record a considerable increase (+41 crimes) compared to the position in 2024/25. Road Safety & Road Crime We continue to record a positive reduction in the number of casualties involved in road traffic collisions within Argyll and Bute compared to last year. The number of fatal road traffic collisions within Argyll and Bute has reduced from 8 to 3 as at the end of Qtr. 4. Road traffic collisions involving serious injuries have also decreased from 51 to 39 and slight injuries reduced from 81 to 66. Serious Organised Crime At the end of Qtr. 4, drug supply offences have remained fairly consistent with 28 crimes compared to 29 the previous year, whilst possession charges have shown a notable increase of 9.6% from 406 to 445. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 26 crimes linked to persons associated with serious and organised crime have been recorded and £506,641 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2025. Violence & ASB At the end of Qtr. 4 Group 1 crimes of violence have decreased by 4.5% with 1043 crimes compared to 1092 the previous year to date, while anti-social behaviour (ASB) related crimes have increased by 10.8% from 974 to 1079 crimes. 1. Acquisitive Crime 2. Public Protection 3. Road Safety & Road Crime 4. Serious Organised Crime 5. Violence & Anti-social behaviour ARGYLL & BUTE POLICING PRIORITIES 2023-2026
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 6553 7290 Total number of incidents 19,984 18,888 DEMAND ANALYSIS - * PYTD - PREVIOUS YEAR TO DATE CYTD - CURRENT YEAR TO DATE * * * * The total volume of crimes and offences recorded within Argyll and Bute has increased by 11.2% from the previous year and is currently above the previous 5-year average (6396). Except for a slight reduction in crimes of violence (-4.5%), all crime types have experienced a rise in figures compared to the position in 2024/25 as at the end of Qtr. 4. Road traffic offences have seen the highest increase (+409) followed by Group 6 anti-social offences (+105) and Group 5 crimes against society (+103) such as drug and weapon offences.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME Common thefts have experienced the highest increase in terms of acquisitive crime from 203 to 243 crimes, which is currently above the 5-year average (223). In Argyll various notable thefts have been recorded relating to thefts of used cooking oil, primarily in Oban while various thefts of machinery, power tools and construction equipment have also been recorded at various sites throughout the local authority. Theft of plant and cooking oil have been identified as ongoing issues within various other divisions. The detection rate for common theft has reduced from 31.5% to 25.9%. Shoplifting crimes have reduced by 8.8% with 208 crimes recorded compared to 228 the previous year. The current figure remains above the previous 5-year average (162) however. The detection rate has reduced slightly from 74.6% to 68.3%. Fraud has increased by 6.1% in Argyll and Bute compared to last year, from 198 to 210 recorded crimes. Increases in social engineering and frauds involving stolen credit/debit cards have been offset by reductions in frauds pertaining to bogus workmen and bank account frauds. The detection rate for fraud has reduced slightly by 3.8% from 24.2% to 20.5%. Across Argyll we have seen an increase in agricultural related thefts. Thefts of expensive equipment and vehicles such as quad bikes are having a financial impact on our rural communities. We are working with farmers and landowners offering crime prevention advice and specialist DNA property marking kits. We continue to share good practice via our media channels. We are liaising with colleagues nationally to identify good work and to ensure that information and intelligence is being shared to our front line for directed patrols. Those involved often travel on our road networks, so we have increased vehicle stop checks which allows us to gather further intelligence. Those involved have also been known to carry out reconnaissance by using drone technology, so we have reached out to local communities to report any suspicious activity. Since the turn of the year, we have had 9 reports which relate to the theft of Oil. This latest spike is attributed to thefts from rural residential properties. This reflects a national trend and potentially related to the cost of living. We are directing proactive vehicle stops and extra patrols around vulnerable sites. Our preventions team continue to reach out to those affected offering crime prevention advice however it is hoped by highlighting these incidents on social media and offering crime prevention advice it will reduce the numbers affected. Other acquisitive crimes such as Theft by Shoplifting and Fraud remain local priorities and we remain determined to reduce the impact these crimes have on our communities across Argyll.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL We have seen a rise in near fatal overdose incidents in Helensburgh. Consequently, a multi-agency response was arranged with partners in Health, Education and Social Work. By improving our information sharing and joint working we have implemented safety plans and support networks for vulnerable individuals. We have a new Youth Engagement Officer in place in Helensburgh who is delivering targeted presentation to young persons across the area. Our National Policing Together team have arranged national CPD training opportunities which is available to partners across several sectors. The training covers a host of current topics such as Vaping and Domestic Violence. Across Argyll our youth engage officers have started a girl’s support group where they are working with partners to provide a safe space for younger females to get together to discuss concerns. Local activity across Argyll and Bute reflects a continued commitment to the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy and Police Scotland’s 2030 vision around safer communities and supporting victims. While the data around Group 2 crime shows an increase, the details clarify the majority of offending occurring within private settings and are perpetrated by individuals known to the victim. This highlights the need for a continued trauma informed partnership approach to tackling domestic abuse. Through strengthened multiagency working, enhanced information sharing and targeted preventative activity- particularly in relation to online harm, youth engagement and domestic abuse- we are improving both safeguarding outcomes and detection rates At the end of Qtr. 4, Group 2 crimes have increased by 27.5% with 292 crimes recorded compared to 229 (+63) in the same period last year. Sexual assaults have increased by 41% from 80 to 113 (+33), while rape offences have reduced slightly from 47 to 39. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have also increased considerably from 73 to 114 crimes with approx. 62% involving children and 85% being committed via online platforms. Approximately 52% of sexual assaults occurred in a private setting and 77% were committed by persons known to the victim. Around one third of all sexual assaults reported related to non-recent crimes. Similarly, approx. 86% of rape offences occurred within a private space and 89% were committed by persons known to the victim with 17 crimes (44%) being domestic related. Domestic abuse incidents have seen an increase of 2.6% compared to last year from 684 to 702, while the number of crimes recorded has reduced by 2.1% with 695 compared to 710 in 2024/25. The detection rate for domestic abuse crimes has increased from 55.9% to 70.8% year on year. A total of 168 missing person reports had been recorded within Argyll and Bute as at end of Qtr. 4, which is an increase of 22.6% from last year (+31). MP reports relating to adults have increased by 17% from the position last year from 64 to 75. Reports relating to children have also increased from 43 to 60 (+17) while the number of MP’s for young persons in care has also risen marginally (+4). PUBLIC PROTECTION
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL At the end of Qtr. 4, the number of fatal RTC’s recorded in Argyll and Bute has seen a notable reduction from 8 to 3 year on year. RTC’s resulting in both serious and slight injuries have also decreased from 51 to 39 (-12) and 81 to 66 (-15), respectively. Road traffic offences continue to see a considerable increase of 21.2% from 1931 to 2340 (+409). Speeding offences have experienced the highest increase (+134) followed by vehicle defect such as construction and lighting offences (+112) and unlawful use of motor vehicle such as licence, insurance and registration offences (+82). The increase in vehicle offences is largely a testament to proactive policing within Argyll and Bute during the current reporting period. Road Traffic Casualties 2024/25 2025/26 Number of persons killed on our roads 8 3 Number of persons seriously injured 51 39 Number of persons slightly injured 81 66 Number of children seriously injured 0 1 Police efforts to drive down the number of people killed and seriously injured on our road’s focus on enforcement of the law; prevention through education and early intervention; and proactive, visible deterrents. The increase in road traffic offences is testament to the proactive and targeted response of both local policing teams and our specialist colleagues. Our national Road Policing Division proactively patrol the roads network, respond to emergency incidents, assume the role of investigating officer at serious and fatal road collisions and support local policing. Our national unit are imbedded into local police stations across Argyll providing us with access to our specialist support. One recent addition is that we have 10 Road Policing officers accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), in the identification of suspect stolen motor vehicles and plant equipment. These officers are all aligned to Road Policing shifts across the country and are available to provide advice and guidance as well as attending to carry out examinations. Our national Motorcycle Unit continue to deploy across Argyll enforcing road traffic legislation, responding to major incidents and assisting with incidents on the strategic road network. Our national Motorcycle safety campaign started in March and runs through till September. This campaign is vital and our continued visible presence influences driver and road users’ behaviour. The aim of Police Scotland Safety Cameras is to reduce the number of casualties on Scotland's roads. Through targeted camera enforcement and improving driver behaviour. Whilst the majority of sites are established after a strict site selection process, camera units also have the ability to enforce at short term and flexible deployment locations meaning they assist in emerging operations or at areas of community concern. ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 26 crimes linked to persons associated with serious and organised crime have been recorded and £506,641 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2025. At the end of Qtr. 4, drugs supply charges have remained fairly consistent compared to last year from 29 to 28 crimes, which remains slightly below the previous 5-year average (32). Drug possession charges have seen a 9.6% increase from 406 to 445 and remains above the previous 5-year average (405). From January we have been raising awareness on the importance of community information and intelligence in our continued focus of deterring and disrupting organised crime within the Argyll communities. It is vital that we continue to encourage and empower our communities to speak up about crime within their towns and villages because members of the public are our eyes and ears. Crimestoppers provides a platform where people can report both anonymously and in confidence that the information will be used to keep their communities safe. Year to date 44 search warrants have been granted and executed across Argyll targeting those involved in sale and supply of controlled drugs. We continue to drive local proactivity to ensure our front-line officers have the knowledge and information to disrupt those, intent on engaging in organised crime. Consequently, we have seen a rise in positive stop searches, particularly in relation to drug related activity in Helensburgh and Rothesay. SERIOUS & ORGANISED CRIME
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL VIOLENCE Work is ongoing nationally to increase internal and external visibility of ongoing work alongside multi agency partners to prevent violent crime as part of Operation Stardrop. Operation Stardrop is dedicated to coordinating intelligence and a consistent data set and research with academics and partner organisations to inform Police Scotland’s implementation of a best practice approach to prevent and protect children and young people from violent crime. Across Argyll we have made an investment into youth engagement by committing 5 officers to dedicated youth initiatives. These officers provide mentoring and support; they identify the vulnerable and work with partners to influence decision making and improve personal safety. Our teams enhance school curriculums by delivering inputs to safeguard and inform on current risks and trends, they provide volunteering opportunities through the PSYV, enhancing life and employability skills. Violent crime is often sporadic and influenced by alcohol. Our high visible direct patrols and support of our nighttime economy is key to reducing violence in our communities. Argyll & Bute council have invested in CCTV upgrades across the region which will be vital in supporting local policing through crime prevention and increasing detections. Crimes of violence occurring within Argyll and Bute have reduced by 4.5% from 1092 to 1043 (-49) year on year while the current figure remains 21% above the previous 5-year average (864). Crimes were largely spilt 50/50 in terms of public/private space with just over half (55%) of all public space crimes being committed by persons known to the victim. Despite a slight 1.5% rise in common assaults from 755 to 766 crimes (+11), this has been subsequently offset by a 30% reduction in assaults on police and emergency workers (-48). Most other Group 1 crimes of violence have experienced slight reductions or marginal change compared to the position at the end of Qtr. 4 last year. Approx. 52% of common assaults occurred within a public space setting and 48% within a residential premise. In 65% of public space crimes offenders were known to the victim and just over half of all private space crimes were domestic related. Serious assaults have seen a slight reduction from 40 to 35 crimes year on year. The detection rate for crimes of violence overall is at 72%, which is a 3.7% increase from the position in 2024/25. In number terms an additional 5 crimes have been detected year on year. The detection rate for common assaults has also risen slightly from 63.2% to 69.7%.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Across the recording period the number of ASB related incidents in Argyll and Bute have seen a marginal increase of approx. 0.3% compared to last year. Group 6 crimes, which include ASB related offences have also increased by 10.8% with 1079 crimes recorded compared to 974 the previous year. This is largely attributable to a rise in breach the peace/threatening and abusive behaviour from 882 to 968 crimes (+86) and alcohol related offences (+20) year on year. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ASB in rural communities can have a stronger impact as it often takes place within smaller close-knit villages. Low level ASB can increase fear, especially among older residents. Our recent Crimestoppers campaign highlighted and promoted a need for greater community intelligence, and we encourage our communities to report ASB concerns in confidence. This information helps us prioritise and target hotspots and allows our officers to utilise stop and search powers when it is proportionate and justified to do so. We continue to work with stakeholders in housing, ASB services, education and other emergency services to maximise our response to ASB and to improve local concerns. We continue to identify and work with local services across Argyll who can help us reduce ASB. These include land and environmental services who help us improve and fix lighting and who remove vandalism from our towns and villages. We also engage with Live Argyll to support youth diversionary activities and programs.
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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 74.4%, which is slightly above the position as at the end of the 2024/25 reporting period (73%) and the position in the West (71%). Body Worn Cameras Police Scotland has completed its national rollout of body worn cameras, with officers in West Dunbartonshire now routinely equipped as of April 2026. This modernisation effort focuses on three primary benefits: 1. Better Evidence: Real-time, high-quality footage provides objective records for court, leading to swifter justice, more guilty pleas, and less reliance on written statements. 2. Accountability: The cameras ensure transparency for both the public and the police. Knowing interactions are recorded deters misconduct and allows for the faster, fairer resolution of complaints. 3. Public Trust: By providing unbiased evidence of professional conduct and helping to de-escalate tense situations, the technology is designed to boost community confidence and strengthen the bond between the police and the public. Overall, the initiative represents a significant shift toward a more transparent, efficient, and modern justice system. 2030 Vision We are designing and implementing a sustainable model for local policing that meets the needs of the 2030 vision. The proposed model outlines a sustainable approach to local policing of safer communities, reduced crime, improved victim support, and a thriving workforce. Developed through extensive research and engagement, the Enhancing Community Policing model shifts emphasis from reactive policing to prevention and problem solving. Under this approach, response officers will focus on attending high-risk and urgent incidents, while maintaining a visible presence in communities to deter crime and provide reassurance. A Community Investigations Hub will manage non- urgent incidents and crime reports, improving the consistency and quality of investigations and outcomes for victims, while enabling frontline officers to prioritise urgent response and community policing. The model will bring a nationally recognisable, and largely consistent frontline policing approach across the country for the first time since the creation of Police Scotland. Whilst principles of approach, role functions, profiles and responsibilities will largely be consistent, we recognise there will be differences in urban, rural and island communities 74.4% Satisfied/Very Satisfied Total of 583 responses