More incidents of antisocial behaviour reported

THE number of incidents of antisocial behaviour across Perth and Kinross, Dundee and Angus reported to Police Scotland has risen, a new report shows.

Statistics released by the Scottish Conservatives found there had been a 5% increase in reports across Scotland as a whole.

There were 343,570 antisocial behaviour incidents reported in Scotland during 2017-18, a rise of 17,794.

Perth and Kinross had the fourth highest increase in the number of reports – from 5,808 to 7,521.

Angus also showed a large increase year on year with a 20% rise from 5,508 to 6,585.

Dundee had 15,026 incidents reported during 2017-18.

Despite showing a 2% decrease in the number of reports, Fife still recorded the highest number, with an average of 75.5 incidents a day.

Shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: “With such a significant rise, it is clear that Police Scotland must work with the community to protect the vulnerable and deter those terrorising neighbourhoods.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland is committed to reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in our communities in order to keep people safe.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Changes in levels of antisocial behaviour are best assessed using measures of the population’s experience and all the evidence points towards a longterm, sustained reduction in Scotland.

“The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey reports that the percentage of adults who think people behave in an antisocial manner in their local area fell from 46% in 2008-09 to 29% by 2016-17, while more adults than ever before feel safe walking alone after dark in their local area.”

Liam Kerr