Police cash call after jump in crime figures
Numbers have gone up by 18 per cent in just a year
Fears have been raised that Perth and Kinross police officers need more resources after new figures revealed a hike in the number of crimes in the region.
The statistics released by the Scottish Government show that incidents of crime have jumped from 364 in November 2019 to 430 in November this year – a rise of 18 per cent.
The Official Statistics bulletin presents information on the number of crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland during November 2020.
The incidents recorded include violent crimes, sexual crimes, crimes of dishonesty, fire-raising, vandalism, and other miscellaneous crimes and offences.
The statistics were introduced from April 2020 to inform users about the volume and type of crimes and offences recorded in Scotland during the coronavirus pandemic.
Convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and communities committee Councillor Bob Brawn branded the figures “disturbing”.
The Tory member for Blairgowrie and Glens added: “However, there should be no criticism levelled at our police officers who work tirelessly, often in dangerous situations, to protect the public.
“Criticism, rather, should be directed at the SNP government which has continuously failed to provide the resources needed by Police Scotland to combat crime and reassure communities that there will always be a strong police presence.
“Instead of single-mindedly pushing the independence agenda, they should concentrate on doing the job they were elected to do - to govern Scotland.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith also raised concerns over the Perth and Kinross figures.
The Conservative politician said: “The rise in the number of crimes in Perth and Kinross from November last year to November this year is alarming and needs to be addressed by the SNP government.
“What makes these figures even more worrying is that they don’t include new crimes recorded under the recently enacted coronavirus legislation, so the total could well be much higher than this.
“I must praise the hardworking police officers on the frontline, but it must be stressed that this rise is alarming.
“Officers must be given resources to drive down the rising number of crimes and reassure communities in Perth and Kinross that there will be a strong police presence there.”
SNP Perthshire North MP
John Swinney responded to criticism of the government, saying: “Police officers do a fantastic job in protecting the public and it is a poor show for the Tories to criticise their work.
“Crime is at a very low level today and much lower than when the Tories were last in office in Scotland.
“In addition, the Scottish Government has given strong levels of funding to Police Scotland and in the last budget increased resources by a further £13 million.
“That strong funding will continue in the future.”