Excessive alcohol consumption is among the reasons for an “unusually high” murder rate in Kirkcaldy, police have revealed.
There were three deaths recorded as murder in the town over the last year. With a population of 59,810, that equates to a homicide rate of approximately five per 100,000 more than Dundee’s four per 100,000 in 2012/13, when the city had the highest murder rate in Scotland.
The statistic for the Lang Toun is “unusually high”, police said, and alcohol abuse was behind at least two of the killings, for which the perpetrators have been convicted.
Local area commander Chief Inspector Nicola Shepherd said: “Tragically, there have been three murders in the last year, unusually high for Kirkcaldy. These all involved persons who were known to each other and were committed within houses.”
In June last year, 90-year-old Georgina Barnett died in hospital after a horrific attack at her home on Ramsay Road. Thomas Brogan, 46, who beat the frail pensioner in a drunken rage over a broken mobile phone, was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in jail.
Earlier this year, David Clark, 61, was convicted of killing his nephew Andrew Clark, 45, after a 12-hour drinking session. The knife attack happened at the accused’s flat in Forth View.
David Clark was originally charged with murder but admitted a reduced charge of culpable homicide.
Chief Inspector Shepherd highlighted the fact alcohol had been a significant factor in both cases. She said: “Unfortunately, people’s alcohol consumption is something we are dealing with on a daily basis. It has a huge impact, hence the Scottish Government has an alcohol strategy and is looking at how to tackle it.
“It’s cultural and a part of how people live their lives. Most people use alcohol socially with absolutely no implications for services but, unfortunately, there is a minority where it tends to be a problem.
“Can we tie it all in with alcohol? Absolutely not. There are underlying issues in some of these family groups.
“It seems to be a catalyst that makes people lose control of normal behaviour.”
A third death in the town is still being dealt with by the High Court. A 28-year-old woman has been charged with the murder of a 48-year-old man, following a disturbance at a property on Melrose Crescent during December.
All three cases were probed by the recently formed Major Investigation Team, which works out of Kirkcaldy Police Station.
The tragic death of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular, whose body was found in woodland in the town in January, was not factored into the murder rate. His mother, Rosdeep Kular, 33, has been accused of his murder and is awaiting her next court appearance.
Chief Inspector Shepherd said: “The death of Mikaeel Kular brought a level of global media attention not seen before to Kirkcaldy when his body was discovered in the town.”
Chief Inspector Shepherd updated local councillors on crime statistics at a meeting of Kirkcaldy area committee in the Town House. While the town had seen an unusually high incidence of murders, overall recorded crime had continued to fall.
Taking all violent crime into account, offences had fallen by 6.5%, with a 6.5% increase in the detection rate taking it to 93.8%. Meanwhile, crimes involving offensive weapons, possession and supply of drugs had reduced by 12.7%.
Committee chairman Neil Crooks said: “It’s clear to me that in the Kirkcaldy area partnership working has really made an impact on police statistics.”