The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fatal crashes rise in Fife but violence falls
CRIME: Police chief says addressing ‘concerning’ road casualty figures was a priority
Police in Fife have pledged to address dangerous and criminal driving practices after a rise in fatal crashes across the region last year.
New figures have revealed 12 collisions between April and December resulted in a death, three more than in the same period the previous year.
Crashes resulting in people being seriously injured have also risen from 75 to 84.
The increase comes amid falling crime levels during the last eight months of 2019, with fewer attempted murders, serious assaults and violence.
Reports of housebreakings, shoplifting, vandalism and fireraising have also decreased, although complaints about domestic violence have risen significantly following a change in legislation to cover coercive and controlling behaviour.
Fraud has also increased.
Chief Superintendent Derek McEwen said addressing the “concerning” road casualty figures was a priority.
“While the rise in fatal and serious-injury collisions is undoubtedly a concern, we are committed to promoting road safety and swiftly addressing any dangerous or criminal driving practices we observe,” he said.
“As part of our Operation Paramount we have dedicated road policing officers monitoring roads throughout the kingdom and whenever they detect motorists driving in a manner that puts themselves or other road users at risk, they will take appropriate action.”
Mr McEwan hailed the reduction in violence however, pointing out there were six fewer attempted murders and 24 fewer victims of serious assaults.
He said the figures showed 97% of people in Fife had never experienced a form of violence.
“We know that violent crime can ruin lives and, through Operation Path, we continue to target hotspot areas and conduct high-visibility patrols, to conduct proactive enforcement activity, remove weapons from those carrying them on their person and arrest those intent on carrying out crimes of violence.
“I am also delighted by the reductions we’ve seen in acquisitive crime offences but we cannot become complacent and must continue to do all we can to reduce these figures further, including more work in tackling fraud.”
Officers will soon launch a Shut Out Scammers campaign aimed at tackling bogus callers and rogue traders. They will liaise with other agencies to raise awareness and target offenders, who predominantly target vulnerable people.
“Officers within Fife Division will conduct a week of activities within the communities,” Mr McEwan said.
“Following on from this, there will be a two-week social media campaign to maximise the engagement with the public.”
“We cannot become complacent and must continue to do all we can to reduce these figures. CHIEF SUPT DEREK MCEWEN