Police in East Renfrewshire have vowed to clamp down on crime involving weapons.

The pledge comes after a new report revealed the number of people carrying offensive weapons has increased significantly.

Figures presented to the Scottish Police Authority’s Policing Performance Committee last month show that, between April 1 and September 30, there were 242 such reports in the Greater Glasgow division, which covers Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire.

This compares to 182 crimes over the same period last year.

Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, divisional commander, said: “I would like to reassure the people of Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire that we will continue in our commitment to keep them safe, with a zero-tolerance approach to weapons carrying.

“We are deploying tactical approaches to prevent people from bringing them into our communities and causing harm.”

The new report also highlights that the number of reported crimes involving someone threatening to disclose intimate images has gone up by around a third.

Ch Supt Sutherland added: “I would appeal to anyone in our communities to speak to us if they fear images of them may be used to compromise them.
“Perpetrators rely on the fear their threats instil in their victims but we can protect you and bring them to justice.”

Latest figures for the local police division show the number of sexual assaults and serious assaults carried out have dropped compared to last year and detection rates are up across most types of crime.

Ch Supt Sutherland said: “Officers are visible in our communities, working with partners and using every means at their disposal to keep crime levels down and public confidence levels up.”