VIOLENT crime and fatal road accidents rose whilst drug and theft offences fell in Stewartry in the year up to March 31, a report has revealed.
At the Stewartry Area Committee this week, a Police Scotland performance report showed the number of crimes of violence committed rising from 14 to 26, up 85 per cent.
The committee – which covers the towns of Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dalry, New Galloway and their surrounding hinterlands – also heard that serious assaults more than doubled in the area over the year, with four offences recorded in 2018-19 and nine in 2019-20, representing a 125 per cent increase.
However, the number of common assault offences dropped 14.2 per cent to 194 from 226 the previous year.
A reduction in theft by house break-in was also reported, with a 60 per cent drop in offences.
And whilst crimes relating to the production or supply of drugs fell by 28 per cent, possession increased slightly by 14 per cent.
The report also noted a 60 per cent rise in fatal accidents caused on the roads, stating that “full crash investigation was carried out at each of these crashes to assist us in determining the cause and/or contributing factors to influence our ongoing directed patrol strategy.
“Analysis has highlighted no emerging trends or correlation between these crashes.”
It added: “In contrast, we have seen a reduction in the number of persons seriously injured during this period, from 76-61 (20 per cent).
“Thankfully, during the recorded period no children have been fatally injured in crashes and we have also seen a significant reduction of 82 per cent in the number of children seriously injured, which is very encouraging.
“In support of the Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership, we will continue to work with partners and attend road safety themed educational events to influence driver and other road user behaviours, with the overall aim of reducing road traffic crashes throughout the region.”
