City sees big fall in violent crime

Mar 20 2013

A city has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of crimes of violence and indecency including rape, according to new figures.

Police in Dundee recorded 88 fewer crimes of violence between April last year and January, a drop of 37%, as well as 10% fewer robberies, compared with the previous period.

Crimes of indecency such as rape, attempted rape and indecent assault were down from 196 to 166, a reduction of around 15%.

The data from Tayside Police also shows 320 fewer reported acts of vandalism.

The detection rate for violent crime was 80.9%, robbery 73.6% and vandalism 29%, which the force said are all on or above target.

A significant rise in housebreaking was recorded, up 27%, or 88 more cases, compared with the previous period.

A spike in housebreaking in the city was recorded at the turn of the year, caused by a small number of people who have since been "taken off the streets", according to police.

Chief Inspector Shaun McKillop said: "We welcome the reduction in crime in the city. Indeed, there was a 5% reduction in recorded crime, that's 324 fewer crimes, in Dundee last year. It is encouraging when those reductions are supported by detection rates that are either on or above target.

"But it is important to stress that it isn't about how the figures look on paper, it is the fact that they represent fewer people suffering because of the violence of others, fewer people being terrified when they fall victim to robbery.

"It also highlights that people and communities have not suffered the hurt caused by wanton acts of vandalism to the same degree."