Stevenson Welcomes 'Significant Drop' in Moray Crime

Moray continues to be one of the safest places to live in Scotland, with latest figures revealing significant drops in crime, increases in detections and doubling of proactivity. That was the message from the latest police performance figures presented to local councillors as part of Police Scotland's commitment to local scrutiny.

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson welcomed the figures. Congratulating the local Moray policing team he said there can still be no let-up in the fight against crime.

Serious assaults decreased by 38% compared to the same quarter last year (April to June 2016 compared to April to June 2015) with a 100% detection rate, while violent crimes have also reduced by 48% as officers continue to tackle violence and related anti-social behaviour through Operation PINE.

And thanks to other intelligence-led proactive initiatives including Operation Regard and Operation Witton, incidents of vandalism have also reduced by almost a quarter while detection rates for drug offences are at a five year high.

Crimes of dishonesty have also dropped by more than 30% when compared to the 5 year average and 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. A major drop in motor vehicle crime has also been recorded, down 60% when compared to the 5 year average and 49% compared to last year.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

"I congratulate the local policing team in Moray on these excellent figures. There can still be no let-up in the fight against crime but the numbers tell us that intelligence-led policing - where members of the public can play their part by reporting anything suspicious - helps keep us all safer from crime.

"While these figures are good news, we need to be on our guard against new types of crimes, for example digital or cyber crime, which will become an increasing challenge in the future and is to a large extent already an issue."