The number of serious assaults in Tayside leapt by almost a quarter over the past year.
Overall the number of group one offences the most violent crime category recorded by police fell by 1.5% in the past year.
There were no murders recorded between April 2010 and March 2011, compared to seven for the same period the previous year and six in 2008/09. In addition there were no culpable homicides recorded compared to one each in the previous two years but the number of attempted murders increased to 56 from 50 in 2009/10.
Mr McMillan said, “There are always violence reduction initiatives running in Tayside and across Scotland. Sometimes it’s just down to luck-one millimetre can be the difference between an injury and death and a lifetime of suffering.
“Every death through violence is one death too many, though.”
There was some good news, with the figures showing Tayside’s children are safer. The number of child cruelty cases recorded by police fell by more than half in the last year. In human terms that means 73 fewer children had their lives blighted.
Mr McMillan said, “We’re working with our partners to do the best we can for every child.
“We try to share information to come up with the best solution. Unfortunately there will be cases of child cruelty and we need everyone to be vigilant and report it if they’re aware of it.”
Child protection services in Dundee have undergone a radical overhaul since toddler Brandon Muir was killed at the hands of his mother’s lover Robert Cunningham in March 2008.
During a recent visit inspectors from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education found that city services have improved greatly since then and there is now closer co-operation between police, social work and the NHS.
New Tayside Police figures show that serious assaults increased by 23%, from 201 in 2009/10 to 249 this year, while robberies rose by 17% from 135 to 158 during the same period.
The figures have raised concern, with Labour MP for Dundee West Jim McGovern calling for more to be done to combat the increase.
SNP MSP for Dundee West Joe FitzPatrick also described the figures as “concerning” but welcomed reductions in serious crime categories, while his Westminster colleague Stewart Hosie, MP for Dundee East, is to raise the matter with police bosses at a scheduled meeting on Friday.
The Scottish Government, meanwhile, described the rises as “regional fluctuations” and said it had full confidence in police forces across the country.
A spokesman said, “Latest official figures show that through the 1000 additional police officers on Scotland’s streets, recorded crime is at its lowest level in 32 years, homicide rates are down to their lowest in 31 years, serious crime is down and criminals being punished through the longest prison sentences in a decade.
“There are likely to be regional fluctuations over time but we have the full confidence in our police forces in cracking down on these crimes wherever and whenever they occur.”
However, Mr McGovern said, “These figures are very concerning. They represent a large increase from the previous year.
“I think most people in Dundee will agree that more must be done to combat this increase. To call it a ‘regional fluctuation’ is worryingly complacent. I am confident that Tayside Police are working hard to combat serious assault, robberies and other crimes but the reasons for this increase must be understood and a solution put in place.
“The Scottish Government must do more than talk about numbers and figures-they need to stop dithering and start addressing the situation on the ground in places like Dundee.
“They must do more to offer the support communities and the police need to tackle serious crime.”
Mr FitzPatrick said, “It is concerning that the numbers of serious assaults and of robberies has increased over a year. Obviously recorded crime statistics do vary slightly from year to year and it is good that these figures show reductions in serious crime categories.
“Across Scotland 80,000 fewer crimes are recorded by the police each year. The incidence of violent crime is down by 11% to its lowest level for 25 years.Assaults increase”Nationally, serious assaults are down by 14%, robberies are down 16% and knife crime is down by a third. We are serious about tackling alcohol and drug abuse as these are often underlying factors in these crimes.
“The Tayside figures show a rise in serious assaults and robberies and this is concerning, so my colleague Stewart Hosie MP, who has a scheduled meeting with the Divisional Commander on Friday, will raise the figures with him.”
DCI Graham McMillan of Tayside Police’s crime intelligence division said, “The difference between a serious and minor assault can be quite small and the use of a weapon can have an impact.
“A lot is down to the element of luck. It’s very often the case that drug and/or alcohol abuse are a factor in these crimes and we need to make sure that support mechanisms are in place to educate people and help where we can.
“I do not believe our initiatives are failing. They are succeeding.”
Continued…