Figures reveal dramatic rise in Tayside break-ins
A near 50% leap in break-ins in Tayside represents an "area for concern," according to the latest figures released by Tayside Police.
- By Alan Richardson
- Published in the Courier : 19.08.10
- Published online : 19.08.10 @ 04.21pm
Statistics for the quarter from April 1 show 82 more incidents of housebreaking — a 45% increase — on the same period last year.
A report to go before the Tayside Joint Police Board on Monday points out there has been a knock-on effect on the force's detection rate, with only one in four such crimes being successfully detected.
The paper states, "Whilst there has been an increase in this area, this has been compared against very low trends in the previous year.
"Currently the force are proactively applying a series of initiatives to target active individuals, as well as providing advice to householders on how best to protect their property. A five-year trend comparison is also being progressed."
The figures also show there were five more violent crimes — a 3% rise on last year — and a rise in robberies from 33 to 38.
The detection rate for violent crime, however, is 85% and for robbery a "best recorded" result of 71% has been achieved.
Also providing cheer is a reduction in vandalism by 12% — nearly 200 fewer reported crimes — with a detection rate of 34%, the best ever recorded by the force.
The fight against drugs also continues, with £18,060 worth of class A narcotics recovered and 10 people arrested in the past three months. Over £50,000 in drug cash and almost £100,000 in dealers' assets have also been seized.
► More than £500,000 will be sought from the Tayside Police general reserve to meet the costs of body armour for officers and office relocation when the joint police board meets on Monday.
Members will be asked to approve use of £150,000 from the reserve to replace body armour sets in this financial year. A further £355,000 would be used to relocate Dundee city centre police office to Bell Street headquarters due to the imminent demolition of Tayside House.
The moves will leave a general reserve of £2.362 million, of which £823,000 is kept as a contingency fund.
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