ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in East Renfrewshire has dropped significantly, a police report reveals.

Figures show a 21 per cent decrease from April 2018 to March 2019, when compared with the same period the year before.

Complaints of disorder have reduced by 565 from 2,649 to 2,084, while vandalism has dropped from 465 incidents to 340, the police report to East Renfrewshire Council shows.

Chief Inspector John McQuilter, area commander for East Renfrewshire, said: “Anti-social behaviour remains a community priority and we continue to focus efforts on preventing disorder. In the past year, we have seen a significant decrease of 21 per cent compared to last year regarding incidents of anti-social behaviour.

“Our campus officers continue to deliver inputs at schools regarding anti-social behaviour and, along with colleagues from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, we have now rolled out these inputs to include parents’ evenings across the area to highlight the effects that this type of behaviour has in the community.”

Police also joined forces with partner agencies to deliver an anti-social behaviour workshop.

“A number of case studies were reviewed and, through group discussion, a number of improvements are being developed,” said Mr McQuilter.

However, there was a rise in sexual crime over the same period, from 109 victims last year to 146 in 2018/19.

Mr McQuilter said: “There has continued to be an increase in the reporting of sexual crimes, which is partly due to the continued trend of victims having the confidence to come forward and report ongoing and historical incidents.”

Mr McQuilter reported a drop in violent crimes, robbery and common assault but a rise in serious assaults, up from 21 to 31.

There was also a drop in reported domestic abuse incidents, from 534 to 504.
He added: “The reduction in domestic abuse crimes in the past year is welcome. However, we continue to work with our partners in education, social work, health and the third sector to encourage the reporting of incidents to ensure we provide support and protection to those who need it.”

Figures also show the number of homes broken into dropped from 122 to 97, although the detection rate remains low at 23 per cent.

“Detecting those responsible for housebreaking can at times be difficult and protracted,” Mr McQuilter said.