Robbery rates skyrocket

THE number of robberies in Dumfries and Galloway have more than tripled in a year, according to a shock new police report.
Twenty-seven incidents have been recorded so far between April 1 and September 30 – compared to just eight in the same period last year.
This year’s figure is also more than double the five-year average of 13 robberies.
A Police Scotland crime update report for the first half of 2023/24 states: “Overall violent crime has reduced by seven percent compared to the five year average, with a total of 867 crimes recorded.
“Serious assaults are at a six year low, however crimes of robbery have increased significantly against all comparators.”
Meanwhile, domestic abuse continues on a worrying upwards trajectory.
Last year it was confirmed that there were 1512 incidents recorded, up 11.8 per cent on the average.
This is showing no signs of slowing down as there were 807 domestic abuse incidents in the first six months of 2023/24.
This figure is up by 10.3 percent on the five year average – and the stats equate to police recording four domestic cases every day.
The Dumfries and Galloway Division police performance report will be presented to councillors next week by Chief Superintendent John Cairns.
The document explains that the number of domestic abuse cases which have resulted in crimes having been committed is 364, which is down on the five year average by 11.6 percent.
The report adds: “The detection rate is 67.1 percent, which is up by 3.8 percentage points on the five year average.
“The compliance rate for domestic abuse bail checks within 24 hours is 93.9 percent, down by 0.5 percentage points on the previous year.”
The overall picture for the region is more positive as there were 8719 crimes recorded between April and September this year, which is 639 fewer than the five-year average.
Crime rates are down across all groups, with the exception of group one (crimes of violence), which both robbery and domestic abuse fall into.
Sexual crime is down 28 percent, housebreaking has reduced by 43 percent, and common assault is down by 2.8 percent.
Chief Superintendent John Cairns, the police commander for the region, will attend Dumfries and Galloway Council’s police, fire and rescue sub-committee next Thursday to table the report and answer queestions from councillors on police performance.