Sex crimes in Fife rise, but housebreakings and motor vehicle crime decrease

Police Scotland has revealed that sex crimes in Fife have increased in the latest statistics for between April and June.

Rape and attempted rape has went up to 74 from 44, while sexual assault has more than doubled to 104 from 46.

But there's been a continuing decline in housebreaking and motor vehicle crime in the Kingdom.

Housebreaking incidents, including attempted break-ins, has dropped from 138 to 120, compared to last year.

There is also eight fewer recorded motor vehicle offences reported in the region.

Overall recorded crime across Scotland, including sexual and violent offences has increased, with a similar picture in Fife.

In the division, overall crime has risen by 563 additional reports, while there has been a small increase in the total number of violent offences.

The force says Fife continue to detect the vast majority of individuals responsible for committing violent crime.

That's despite the relaxation of most coronavirus restrictions in recent months.

It also says that the continued dedication of the division’s Public Protection Unit has resulted in the overall detection rates for sexual offences increasing by more than 7% compared to the previous year, with the force saying it displays the commitment in bringing into custody those responsible for these offences.

Police Scotland has issued its Q1 Management of Information data for the period of 1 April to 30 June 2021.

Fiona Taylor, Deputy Chief Constable, said: "While restrictions relating to the pandemic continue to have an impact on the policing needs of our communities, the effect is different compared to the same period last year, when the first lockdown had only recently been introduced and the most stringent measures were in place."

Meanwhile, across Scotland, the number of fatal collisions occurring has increased, but in Fife there has been no rise of such incidents.

One has been recorded this year, which is the same as in 2020.

Serious injury collisions have decreased, while there has been a rise in slight injury collisions.

But road safety remains a priority for the division and Road Policing Officers have continued to monitor and patrol the road network across the Kingdom, as increased numbers of drivers start travelling throughout the region once again.

This has resulted in 633 additional motoring offences being recorded, which includs an increase in dangerous driving, drink driving and speeding offences.

Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, Divisional Commander for Fife said: "During the pandemic, I was extremely encouraged by not only how police officers and staff adapted to the challenges they faced when carrying out their duties, but also how the public reacted to and supported our efforts during an extremely challenging time for us all.

"Now that coronavirus restrictions have been mostly removed, we are seeing an increase in reports of various crimes and while our Q1 data for 2021, may look stark in contrast to 2020, DCC Taylor has already highlighted the difficulty in making a direct comparison, given the level of restrictions we were subject to last year.

"I want to make it clear that Fife is, and will continue to be, a safe place and whenever we identify a rising crime trend, we will utilise all resources at our disposal to address these.

"We will also continue to work with partners to build on the success we have observed in reducing certain offences."