Tayside crime at a ten-year low

Jun 30 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

OVERALL recorded crime in Tayside during 2008/09 was down to its lowest level for at least a decade.

And the force’s detection rates were the highest for at least 10 years – and probably more, according to Tayside Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson’s Annual Performance Report, issued yesterday.

Reflecting on “an outstanding year”, he stated: “The communities which make up the Tayside Police area are now experiencing the lowest levels of domestic housebreaking, vandalism and car crime for a generation – and within these decreasing crime groups we are arresting and reporting an increased percentage of offenders. “In addition to this year-round performance, we have also responded positively to a number of difficult homicide and other major inquiries this year and have successfully concluded each one.”

The number of violent crimes, however, jumped from 608 in 2007/08 to 696 this year, although the detection rate actually rose – from 79.3% to 82.8%.

Within that category, there were six murders – the same as last year – 59 attempted murders, three more than the previous 12 months, and 244 serious assaults, 26 more than in 2007/08.

The Chief Constable added: “Importantly, our much improved performance has created an opportunity for the force to concentrate more fully upon delivering an enhanced community policing approach and better quality of service delivery.

“Both areas are the focus of our current attention and it is our intention to considerably improve upon what we currently do and create greater public trust and confidence in all of our work.”

Mr Mathieson took over as the new police chief last July, with Justine Curran being appointed Deputy Chief Constable in February after serving in Manchester and Merseyside.

Bill Harkins is the new Assistant Chief Constable.

The annual report was unveiled at a meeting of the Tayside Joint Police Board in Forfar yesterday morning.