Overall violent crime in North Ayrshire ended 2022-23 with an increase of 1.7 per cent on the five-year average, the police and fire and rescue committee heard last week.
Serious assaults have reduced with 62 crimes recorded at the end of the fourth quarter, compared with 75 the previous year and a five-year average of 87.8 per cent.
Detection rates were down slightly at the end of the year at 77.4 per cent, compared to 85.6 per cent on the five-year average, but up slightly on last year at 74.7 per cent,
Chief superintendent Faroque Hussain said: “We are in a really strong position in terms of serious assaults, although detection rates are slightly lower than they were sitting at in the past.”
Twenty-four of these crimes have taken place within the home with eight being domestic related. Thirty of the crimes have noted alcohol consumption as a potential factor. Twelve of the victims were female.
There have been no murders in the reporting period, however there have been 11 attempted murders, which the chief constable says is a “considerable increase from what we have seen in the past". However, all of them were detected.
Minor assaults on members of the public recorded lower numbers, compared with last year and the five-year average.
Notably, 39 assaults on retail workers were recorded for the year.
The detection rate was 63.8 per cent, which was above the figure the previous year (60.6 per cent) but well below the five-year average (77.3 per cent).
Minor assaults on emergency workers are currently above the five-year average, but below the figure for last year.
Violent crime is continually reviewed and resourced by police. This helps identify earlycrime trends, repeat victims, offenders and locations, ensuring there is a preventative policing plan where possible.
Police provide a visible presence around retail premises and support retail workers through a prevention approach but can also take action when required.
In the evening, police patrols engage positively with licensed premises, providing a visible reassuring presence within town centres to deter and prevent violence and disorder.
They have conducted 1205 supportive licensed premises visits throughout North Ayrshire between April 2022 and March 2023.
The Community Wellbeing Unit continue to work closely with persons and partners aiming to divert offenders away from crime whilst supporting vulnerable victims.
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