Crime in Perth and Kinross has dropped to its lowest level in 10 years.
A new study by the region’s top social worker shows there were around 4,500 offences recorded in the last year, compared to 6,890 a decade earlier.
Crimes of dishonesty have dropped 40% in the same period, while reconviction rates are well below the Scottish average.
It follows the creation of the Perth and Kinross Community Justice Partnership in 2016, a taskforce dedicated to preventing and reducing crime, as well as helping offenders get back into society.
The group, which includes representatives from amongst others Police Scotland and NHS Tayside, arranges community service work and offers support to released prisoners.
In a report to go before councillors next week, chief social work officer Jacquie Pepper said that the number of young offenders had fallen to an all-time low, with 197 in 2016/17, compared with 342 in 2010/11.
There has also been a significant drop in the number of reported concerns about the wellbeing and welfare of children.
In the last year, there were 4,160 cases of concern – a full third less than the year before. It is the first time the figures have fallen in the last five years, largely thanks – according to the study – by the introduction of Police Scotland’s Vulnerable Persons database.
Officers are encouraged to add to the database the names of any people whose future wellbeing they are concerned about. There is about 400,000 names on the list.
Ms Pepper has outlined the challenges local social work teams face over the next year.
“Perth and Kinross is preparing for population increases and an associated increase in the number of older people and people living with dementia and long-term conditions,” she said.
“The challenges ahead for social care and social work services are unparalleled. Rising demand, the need to redesign and change while maintaining business continuity all at a time of diminishing resources creates significant pressure on the workforce.”
She said: “The council is investing just under £4 million in an ambitious transformation programme across social care and social work services. This will allow the focus on prevention, earlier intervention, personalisation and building resilient and self-caring communities to continue at a time of unprecedented budget restraints.”
The annual report will be discussed at the council’s audit and performance committee on Tuesday.
