Analysis: Increase in ‘hidden’ crimes might be tip of the iceberg

in Bishopbriggs, Lenzie and Milngavie, doubled in March this year, with 10 reports investigated by police – and thefts from vehicles also increased.

There was also an increase in crimes where a knife was used and assaults increased slightly from 41 to 46.

Assaults on emergency workers also increased, from two reports last year to five this year, as well as incidents of vandalism and driving while banned.

However, drug possession dropped significantly from 40 reports last year to 23 this year.

The highest recorded crimes were assaults and vandalism.

DR Nick McKerrell, senior law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, said the new data had thrown up some interesting trends.

He explained: “Although these figures cover the unprecedented shift to lockdown and the general change to human activity this represents, some trends can be observed.

“Worryingly, we see a growth in more ‘hidden’ offences of abuse in the household even in the early days of lockdown.

“As these incidents are only reported in a small proportion of cases this could be the tip of an iceberg – particularly as the lockdown goes on.

“The middle of

March also saw the growth of panic buying, this may have caused the spike in shoplifting as the opportunity to get away with it in busier shops may have presented itself.

“This spike is likely to fall dramatically in the next few months.

“Outdoor activities will have been more closely monitored, particularly in the last two weeks of March, so discovering more people drinking alcohol in public places is less surprising than would seem.

“This is also likely to be another phenomenon as our current situation develops in the next few weeks, particularly with pubs closed for the foreseeable future.”

Police Scotland released figures on April 27 giving a picture of lockdown crime rates across the country which suggest that recorded crime has fallen by a quarter, overall.

The force said that serious assaults had reduced by around 40 per cent while common assault had fallen by just over a quarter between March 24 and April 19, 2020, and housebreakings were down around 30 per cent.

Fraud, however, increased by more than 10% and there was some evidence that criminals are specifically exploiting the coronavirus emergency.