Angus has witnessed significant drops in housebreakings and shoplifting.
The 17% drop in housebreakings, which spans April to September this year compared to the same period in 2013, covers break-ins and attempted break-ins to houses, garages, sheds and outbuildings, as well as retail premises.
There were 112 break-ins or attempted break-ins across the county in the six-month period, against the 135 recorded for the same time last year. Detection rates for the same periods have improved from 17% to just over 22%.
Incidents of breaking into people’s homes (excluding outbuildings and retail property) have decreased significantly in that time, with detection rates improving significantly year on year.
Chief Inspector Gordon Milne said: “We have a dedicated team of detective officers providing local support to local officers. From 74 housebreakings last year to 35 for the same period this year, these crimes have virtually halved, while detection rates have increased.
“Keeping people safe extends to our helping them to feel safe in their own homes. It is a priority for us.”
Shoplifting has fallen dramatically with 233 reported incidents compared to 363, with police detecting 85% of these crimes.
Partnership between the police and the retail trade has been key to this success.
Mr Milne said: “Our community police officers will identify the hot spots where these crimes happen and work with staff there, including the in-house security.
“If we can get to the root of the problem, we can take that person out of a chaotic cycle of offending comprising of commit crime, get caught, get jailed, get out, reoffend.
“If we find solutions to those problems, we reduce crime over the longer term.”