A consistent decrease in the number of crimes across Angus has been hailed as a “staggering” success for local policing.
Angus South MSP Graeme Dey welcomed a reported 10-year low in offending in the county, and the region’s top policeman said a downward trend is a “testament” to his officers.
Scottish Government statistics showed the total number of offences recorded by police in Angus was 9,297 in 2012-13 down 396 from the previous year and 4,542 from a decade previously.
The total number of more serious offences fell to 3,831 in 2012-13 down almost 2,000 from 2003-2004.
“Fear of crime is down and our communities are safer places to live and work in,” Mr Dey said.
“Although I am delighted that there has been a near 5% drop in recorded crime in Angus there is no room for complacency.
“The (Scottish) Government is committed to reducing crime rates further and punishing criminals, a point illustrated by our action to recruit over 1,000 extra police officers since 2007, who are helping increase the crime clear-up rate to its highest point since 1976.”
The official figures deal with the total number of crimes recorded across the county.
Chief Superintendent Hamish Macpherson said: “The long-term downward trend in crime is testament to the continued hard work of our officers within Angus, supported by their divisional colleagues and now those from elsewhere in Police Scotland. It is also a tribute to the excellent, effective working relationships that we enjoy with other agencies and organisations, including the other emergency services, Angus Council and our law enforcement partners to name only a few.”
In May The Courier reported an increase in the worst kinds of crime not including non-domestic theft or breach of the peace in Angus.
Year-end performance results were submitted to the joint police and fire board by Mr Macpherson. Instances of the worst crimes rose by 2.6% between April 2012 and March, 3,171 crimes of this type compared to 3,091 in 2011-12.
There had been a marked statistical increase in four Angus burghs and a decrease in three. Forfar and Kirriemuir saw the largest spike with two additional robberies, nine violent crimes and 32 instances of vandalism the major factors.
Montrose and Brechin saw group 1-4 crimes increase by 15.8% however, a 29.8% upturn in vandalism was responsible for this.
Arbroath saw its major crimes decrease by 8.9% or 101 instances since 2011-12, with a reduction in percentage terms across the board.
Carnoustie and Monifieth saw the greatest percentage change in group 1-4 crime, although its low baseline level in 2011-12 saw a 50% reduction in crimes of robbery (two to one), and instances of violent crime dropped from 13 to eight (a 38.5% change).