VIOLENT crime in Argyll and Bute has risen by 17 per cent year on year – while the current figure is more than a third over the previous five-year average.
A report from officers across the area has revealed that the number of violent crimes has gone over 1,000 for the first time in the five-year period.
Assaults on police and emergency workers are responsible for some of the increase, along with more common assaults.
Officers have given details of how they are dealing with the increase in the offences in a report to go before Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee on Thursday, June 5.
The report said: “Crimes of violence occurring within Argyll and Bute have risen by 17 per cent from 942 to 1103 (+161) year on year with the current figure also 37 per cent above the previous five-year average (804).
“Crimes were largely spilt 50/50 in terms of public and private space; however, approximately 60 per cent of those occurring in a public space were committed by persons known to the victim.
“Much of the increase in crimes of violence is due to an increase in common assaults (+108) and common assaults on police and emergency workers (+41).
“Common assaults were largely spilt 50/50 in terms of public/private space and in approx. 69 per cent of public space crimes offenders were known to the victim.
“The increase in crimes is largely due to a rise in domestic related assaults (+52) and disputes between friends/neighbours (+33).
“The increase in assaults on police and emergency workers is due to slight increases in Dunoon (+15) and Rothesay (+8) compared to the PYTD.
“The detection rate for crimes of violence overall remains fairly consistent at 68 per cent, which is relatively unchanged from 2023/24, however in number terms an additional 113 crimes have been detected.”
The police spokesperson added: “All operational officers across our towns and villages in Argyll and Bute are briefed daily prior to deployment to furnish them with the intelligence and information required to be able to identify those involved in violence and antisocial behaviour.
“This will include known weapon carriers, violent individuals and those subject to specific bail conditions that have been granted to restrict their activities.
“Our officers are pro-actively patrolling these areas and people with the intention of reducing their negative impact on the community and the likelihood of them re-offending. We continue to utilise analytical evidence to deploy our teams according to demand.
“We maximise our resources at peak times in towns such as Oban, Campbeltown, Dunoon, Bute and Helensburgh when we know excessive alcohol and or drug misuse may influence decision making. We engage and support our nighttime economy by carrying out licensed premises checks.
“These checks help identify risks and allow us to deliver effective early intervention to situations which may have otherwise escalated.
“Locally we are supporting our officers who are victims of assaults by supplementing existing officer safety training. We are focusing on officer wellbeing by ensuring they feel supported and have confidence delivering the specialist training they receive annually.”
