Neighbourly disputes appear to have increased as a result of us all being stuck at home new data from Police Scotland show.

The numbers show a massive increase, of 41 per cent, from 16,021 to 22,930 for police complaints related to neighbour disputes in the last year.

Noise complaints were also up (43,288 to 51,277 or 18.5 per cent).

Police in the region attributed the increases to the challenges of coronavirus.

There was also large increases in incidents of public nuisance (up from 56,936 to 123,979 or 117.8 per cent)

Police in Ayrshire reported fewer crimes ivolving assaults in the last year, but the number of crimes involving weapons has gone up in 2020-21.

Serious assaults and indecent assaults in the area are down by 64 against the same reporting period the year before say Police Scotland.

Total crimes involving offensive/bladed weapons are up from 387 to 416 compared to the same period last year.

Drug related crimes are down from 1,720 to 1,674 and detection rates for the supply of drugs are up from 188, to 247.

Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain, commander for Ayrshire Division said: “We have recorded 52 fewer incidents of serious assault while we continue to respond to the ongoing pandemic. Together with the drop in indecent assaults, this is welcome news for Ayrshire’s communities.

“Weapons carrying remains a priority and we are doing all we can with the powers we have to prevent people bringing them into communities and causing harm. Likewise with driving offences, where we are linking into the expertise of our roads policing department to help rid our roads of reckless drivers.

“Officers have been more visible and accessible and I hope that brings added assurance that we are always here and ready to respond. Their accessibility throughout the pandemic in particular has no doubt contributed to people engaging with them and reporting crime.

“I would ask communities across Ayrshire to keep talking to us and reporting your concerns. You can do this in person, by calling 101 or by visiting our website.”

A total of 1,237,689 incidents were recorded during the 2020-21 period, a reduction of 4.7 per cent on the same period in 2019-20 (1,298,431) with reductions in concern for person and missing people incidents.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “The public health crisis continues to influence the needs of our communities, however it may be years before we fully understand the impact of coronavirus on crime and policing demand in Scotland.

“Officers and staff continue to play a key role in the national effort to combat the spread of coronavirus, while they face the same personal and professional challenges as their fellow citizens.

 “As the Chief Constable has made clear, the Police Service of Scotland will always be here to help the public who we serve."