Strathclyde police ‘are winning the war on crime’

Jul 17 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

POLICE say figures released this week show they are winning the fight against crime in the Hamilton area .

There has been a fall in most categories of offences, including violent crime and house break-ins.

Detections for vandalism are up and the crackdown on drug dealers looks to be paying off.

Superintendent Ian Callander said he hoped the statistics would reassure the public and help allay the fear of crime.

In the 12 months from April 1, 2007, police dealt with 50,000 incidents in the sub-division comprising Hamilton, Blantyre, Larkhall, Bothwell and Uddingston.

The data shows that, compared with the previous 12 months, the number of cases of violent crime fell 7.2 per cent to 309.

Murders were up from two to three but serious assaults were down 16 per cent to 156.

Robberies fell 10 to 77 and house break-ins were down from 708 in 2006-07 to 555 in 2007-08.

Although cases of drugs possession were stable at about 1000, those snared for dealing rose 71 per cent , from 139 to 238, reflecting the number of operations targeted at the crime. One of them, codenamed Robust, took place last June and led to 38 arrests, mostly in the sub-division.

Incidents of vandalism were stable at about 2500 but 520 of the cases in the last 12 months have been detected.

The number of people arrested for carrying knives is down from 121 to 103 and, the total number of reported crimes in the Hamilton area dropped three per cent to 8300.

The figures also show how police have waged war on shoplifters, with the number of persons detected for the crime in Hamilton town centre up 95 to 281.

Crimes of a sexual nature fell seven to 60, and there were 10 rapes reported to police in 2007-08 compared with 12 the previous year.

Speeding offences increased from 430 to 474 and the number of people caught using their mobile telephones while driving was up 105 to 387.

The overall number of crimes and offences reported in Hamilton sub-division fell from 19,357 in 2006-07 to 17,976 in 2007-08.

That reduction is partly explained by the introduction in September of powers to issue £40 on-the-spot fines for crimes such as breach of the peace, antisocial behaviour, street drinking, urinating in public, vandalism, etc.

Between September and the end of the financial year, about 800 of the Fixed Penalty Notices were handed out in the sub-division. These are recorded by police but not added to the total number of crimes and offences.

Mr Callander said: “The reduction in crimes of violence is down to more effective policing.

“We identify times when violence is likely to occur plus areas we consider ‘hot spots’ and adjust our policing plans accordingly. “In terms of crimes of dishonesty and house break-ins, the police and South Lanarkshire Council have carried out a huge amount of work, giving advice and help that has enabled people to make their properties more secure.”

He said they would continue to listen to the concerns of the community representatives and insisted that the fight against drug-dealing would continue.

“The success of Operation Robust was there for all to see and provides a template for the future,” he added.