Crime is decreasing across the Highlands and Islands – Chief Constable

CRIME is decreasing in general across the Highlands and Islands, the Chief Constable reported to the Northern Joint police Board.

Crime is down 12% for the period April to December 2009 against the same period in 2008. This equates to 1522 fewer victims. Crime rates have actually fallen by 20% over the past 2 years. At the same time overall detection rates remain high at over 61% for classes 1 to 5 and over 84% across all classes of crime.

Northern Constabulary continues to demonstrate its commitment to reducing crime and contributing to safer communities across the Highlands and islands.

Numerous examples of successes include the following:

A number of significant drug seizures and convictions in Shetland including a 4-year sentence of a man with 120,000 of drugs including heroin.

The arrests and prosecution of 5 cases of domestic abuse in Orkney.

Two officers are to be commended for resolving a firearms incident in Barra, Western Isles.

A new initiative involving a Community Response Team has been active in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross to tackle vandalisms. The scheme has been favourably received by the public and 76 crimes of vandalism have been detected in Caithness.

There have been notable drug seizures in Ross & Cromarty, Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, including the recovery of 160,000 class A drugs on the A82 in November. A number of drink drivers were arrested throughout this area during a targetted campaign.

Considerable work continues across the region to address Domestic Abuse and Child Protection. A dedicated Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer has been appointed for the East Division area.

There have been notable seizures of drugs and successful prosecutions across the region including 2 men receiving 12 years each imprisonment at the High Court in Glasgow in December 2009 for supply of drugs.

A number of secondary schools across the region have taken part in “Driving Ambitions” which promotes safer driving.

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