Fife Chief Constable Norma Graham has pledged to build on the success of the region’s community policing strategy after crime in the region fell by 11%.
Launching Fife Constabulary’s annual report, Mrs Graham said the force had “transformed” the way it tackled crime and she was pleased with the results.
Anti-social behaviour dropped by nearly a quarter in 2010/11, with 3000 fewer incidents across Fife.
The drop in offences coincided with the roll-out of the force’s community engagement strategy. Under the scheme, officers attend public meetings at local venues to hear concerns straight from residents, with anti-social behaviour frequently seen as a top priority.
Overall recorded crime is now 46% lower than it was six years ago, according to police, and is at its lowest levels since records began 15 years ago. Meanwhile, detection rates across Fife have risen to 55%.
Fife Constabulary also seized a record £3.6 million of illegal drugs by disrupting organised crime gangs.
Mrs Graham said, “Our vision of taking police closer to the community continues to drive policing operations in Fife with meaningful community engagement at the heart of everything we do.’2277 fewer victims'”The 11% reduction in recorded crime means that there were 2277 fewer victims of crime in Fife in the past year.
“Across Fife, many communities have raised anti-social behaviour as there main concern so I am particularly pleased to see a decrease of 23% in the number of anti-social behaviour offences recorded.
“Community policing is the future for Scottish policing. By working closely with our community, the force has transformed how we deliver policing in Fife.
“Local communities are now involved directly in shaping the policing priorities for their area and this has led to a renewed connection between the public and police.
“Fife Constabulary is determined to build on this year’s successes and work with communities to deliver the highest quality policing service, a service which is delivered locally and clearly valued.”
The force rolled out community engagement across the whole of Fife last year, following a successful pilot in Levenmouth. Fife’s figure of 11% is the biggest drop in crime by any Scottish police force.
Throughout the year, officers were deployed on foot patrols as part of Operation Laser. (Local Action Supporting Enforcement and Reassurance). The officers seized 699 litres of alcohol from underage drinkers and people boozing in public.
The year also saw the creation of the Public Protection Unit to strengthen child protection and offender management.Single force fearsMeanwhile, the SNP Government’s plans for a single Scottish police force could put the excellent progress made by Fife Constabulary at risk, said Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie.
Fife Police’s annual report for 2010-11 showed 18,668 crimes were recorded, down from 20,945 in the previous year. Anti-social behaviour offences fell by almost a quarter and a record £3.6 million-worth of illegal drugs was seized by police.
Recorded crime in Fife is now at its lowest level for 15 years almost half what it was six years ago.
Commenting on the statistics, The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said, “This welcome drop in the number of recorded crimes serves as a warning against the SNP Government’s ill-advised plans for a single national police force.
“Crime in Fife is down and detection has risen which is down to the hard work of Fife Constabulary on the ground rather than a centralised police force.
“Withdrawing local priorities and accountability is bad news for policing and bad news for Fife. This move could see thousands of police officers removed from Scotland’s streets and this progress reversed.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats are the only party who have continually warned about the dangers of the SNP’s flawed and dangerous centralising agenda for Scottish policing, not least because of the negative effect it would have on the safety of Scotland’s streets and communities.
“The Justice Secretary needs to listen to the growing choir of opposition voices before it is too late, otherwise he will irrevocably damage Scottish policing and the safety of our streets forever.”