The latest data from the Police Scotland Coronavirus Intervention (CVI) system shows that officers in Dumfries and Galloway have carried out a relatively low level of enforcement of Covid-19 regulations compared to other divisions across the country.
By June 14 a total of 51 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued locally to people who were not complying with restrictions – the lowest divisional total anywhere in Scotland – with ten coronavirus-related arrests made.
Police in Dumfries and Galloway have recorded 851 incidents where groups have dispersed after being reminded of the regulations, and a further 225 groups were instructed to disperse by officers.
Meanwhile, new figures have shown a slight rise in overall crime in the region between April and May, but the total remains lower than last year. Last week the Official Statistics Recorded Crime Monthly Bulletin for May was published which showed that 547 crimes were recorded in Dumfries and Galloway that month. That is an increase of 116 compared to April this year, but is 10 per cent lower than May last year.
Other figures from the Police Scotland weekly bulletin show that between March 9 and June 14 a total of 4141 incidents were reported to police in Dumfries and Galloway – a decrease of 1473 compared to the same period last year.
Commenting on the new figures, Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson said: “As we ease out of lockdown restrictions, we must ensure that our communities are safe places to live and that any crime is being fully dealt with by officers. “With an increase of 116 in Dumfries and Galloway, there is clearly more to be done in order to drive down crime in our community.”
