Crime dropped during lockdown apart from a major rise in disorder complaints over residents breaking COVID-19 restrictions.

There were 3,484 disorder complaints between April 1 and July 31 – up 40.6 per cent compared to the year before. Cases showing a decrease over that period include  domestic abuse, common assault, sexual crime and housebreaking.

A Police Scotland report said: “The number of disorder incidents shows a marked increase in comparison to last year. This is due to the amount of complaints we have received regarding non-compliance with COVID regulations and guidance.”

“The true impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on crime and offence levels in Scotland may not be known for some time. What can be seen in North Ayrshire up till now in comparison to the same period last year last year is a decrease in a number of crime areas, whilst at the same time a number of other areas are showing an increase.”

The report was  presented to North Ayrshire Council’s most recent Police and Fire and Rescue Committee.

Overall 4,151 crimes were recorded over the course of April to the end of July – which shows a decrease of 6.7 per cent.

The crime statistics for April 1 to July 31 in North Ayrshire revealed domestic abuse cases went down by nearly 18 per cent to 344. There were 418 cases of common assault – showing a 19 per cent drop.  There were 83 sexual crimes recorded – down 42 per cent.  Sixty per cent fewer people were injured on the roads.

Crime type showing a marked change according to North Ayrshire Performance Summary Report covering April 1- to July, 31 2020:

Minor violent crime – down 21 per cent

Sexual crimes –  down 40 per cent.

Fireraising / vandalism –  down 17 per cent.

Shoplifting – down 29 per cent

Drug Supply-  down 33 per cent

Speeding – down 45 per cent

Motor vehicle crime – up 13 per cent

Fraud up –  137 per cent

Driving without insurance or licence – up 51 per cent