Robberies have risen dramatically in Perth and Kinross.
A report by local police officers for the local council showed robberies rose by 70.6% between April 2017 to March 2018, compared to figures from the same period a year before.
The annual report showed police dealt with 29 cases of robbery in the last year, up by 12. It coincides with a rise in housebreaking and shoplifting throughout the area.
Theft by housebreaking, including attempts, has increased from 173 instances in 2016-17 to 210 in 2017-18, a 21.4% rise.
Theft by shoplifting has escalated by 33.9%, from 528 in 2016-17 to 707 in 2017-18.
Detection rates have improved in Perth and Kinross.
Detection of robberies has risen from 58.8% to 65.5%, detection of theft by housebreaking from 23.7% to 35.7% and detection of theft by shoplifting from 75.8% to 83%.
The figures were contained in a report to Perth and Kinross Council, presented by Inspector Kevin Chase, head of community policing for South Perthshire.
Mr Chase said the rise in robberies has affected Perth city centre most.
He said: “Robberies have increased, however I need to advise with that we are talking about low based numbers.
“What is important is that our detection rate has increased in line with that. The rise in robberies is not particularly linked.
“Perth city centre itself has seen the biggest rise but there was not a particular pattern.”
He added: “One thing we do look at when we have shoplifting is the offender, their background and their circumstances as we are aware of different social factors.”
The meeting also heard reductions in serious assaults, crimes of violence, domestic abuse and sexual crimes throughout Perth and Kinross.
The overall number of serious assaults dropped from 108 to 75 and violent crimes fell by 24.1% from 170 to 129.
Reported domestic abuse incidents fell by 2.6%, with sexual crimes dropping by 3.9%.
Detections of drug supply, drug production and drug cultivation also fell by 24.6% which Mr Chase said could be linked to the closure of music festival T in the Park.
