Victims of crime in Broughty Ferry have less than a one in three chance of having the culprit brought to justice.
According to the latest statistics, crime detection rates in the area are the lowest in the city, with just 30.21% of crimes including sexual offences, violent crimes and vandalism being solved.
That means that of the 235 crimes recorded in the ward, just 71 were solved.
Councillor Laurie Bidwell has questioned police over the worrying statistics and demanded answers from officers.
The Labour member said: “I note that in the Ferry community planning partnership area, the detection rate for groups one to five and groups one to four is the lowest compared with other community planning partnership areas.
“There is a 30.21% detection rate for groups 1-4 in Broughty Ferry compared with 69.54% in the Starthmartine ward. I have raised this at previous meetings in relation to quarterly reports.
“I appreciate that the number of crimes reported is generally lower, but bearing in mind that detection is the best form of deterrence, when can constituents in Broughty Ferry expect to see a comparable detection rate for crimes committed in the Ferry?”
Conrad Trickett, who is in charge of policing in Dundee North, which includes Broughty Ferry, said that it was the type of crime occurring in the ward that made it so difficult to detect.
He said: “It is the group threes and group fours (crimes of dishonesty and vandalism) that regularly occur in the Ferry.
“These crimes are often more difficult to detect. But it is not that officers are not investigating these crimes any less robustly than they do in other parts of the city.”
Mr Bidwell was joined in his criticism by Councillor Fraser Macpherson, who also questioned why just 5.77% of housebreakings in his West End ward were solved.
That means that of the 52 housebreakings recorded this quarter, only three culprits were brought to justice.
In response, officers said that housebreaking was a priority for police in the city and that they were going to establish a dedicated team with a dedicated inspector to help tackle the issue.
Chief Superintendent Eddie Smith said in his report: “Within the Dundee City area, housebreakings have been reduced by 26%. However, detection rates for these offences have reduced by 8.9% when compared with the five-year average.
“In the coming months we will strive to increase detection rates for housebreaking, building on the good practice that has been identified and ensuring appropriate investigative support.”
The issues raised by councillors followed the otherwise encouraging report about crime in the city. Violent crime has fallen by 25%, while the number of recorded incidents has also fallen.
There were 195 incidents recorded between April 2013 and March this year, compared to the five-year average of 260. A breakdown of the statistics shows robberies down 37% and serious assaults down 17%.
The number of attempted murders also fell by 65% and there was only one murder, down from the five-year average of two.