ASSAULTS AND breach of the peace offences have increased in Glenrothes, but police have said that reflects a clamp-down on anti-social behaviour.

A Fife Constabulary report revealed that while there were less reports of serious violent crime and fire raising, incidents such as minor assaults, breach of the peace and crimes linked to racism were up.

This year has seen a 25% increase in public indecency offences, however there were only five crimes detected.

The figures, for the Glenrothes area committee, reflect police activity around the town in the last six months compared to the same period last year.

Chief Inspector Andy Edmonston said, “Unfortunately it has not been possible to produce accurate figures in relation to anti-social behaviour incidents.

“These will be provided to members when they become available.

“In relation to offences, breach of the peace and minor assaults have increased in the past six months.

“This equates to a 20% rise in breach of the peace offences and a 25% rise in minor assaults.

“The increases, while regrettable in terms of overall crime figures, may in part be due to increased police attention to this type of crime and the ongoing efforts to tackle alcohol-fuelled street disorder, primarily at weekends.

“Further analysis will now be undertaken to determine the root cause of the increase and necessary action will be taken to deploy effective partnership resources in response.”

Among crimes treated as a priority, vandalism was down 5% to 635 incidents, fire raising was down by over a third to 33, serious violent crime dropped 10% to 36 and domestic housebreaking was reduced by 30% to 75.

Detection rates for fire raising and serious violent crime had increased, but those for vandalism and housebreaking fell.

Meanwhile, vehicle crime was down by 4% to 118 crimes, but racism- related crime increased by 18% from 11 to 13.