POLICE have slashed crime rates across Aberdeen, figures released by the force today revealed.
Reported incidents of vandalism, violence, vehicle crime, housebreaking and vehicle crime have all plummeted as a result of work carried out by the city’s 13 Local Policing Teams (LPTs).
The figures – taken over the last five financial years – reveal rates of housebreaking having fallen by almost 65% since 2007/08, having more than halved (reduced by 56.6%) over the last year.
Vehicle crime has also fallen by almost 40% over the five-year period – down by 7.8% over the last year – with violent crime being reduced by more than 38%, down 18% within the last year.
And rates of vandalism were crushed by more than 32% – a reduction of 7.8% on the 2010/11 figure.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, Divisional Commander for Aberdeen City, said: “These are very encouraging figures however you look at them and are testament to the hard work of our Local Policing Teams and the valuable support given to them by officers in crime management.
“This clearly illustrates that our community focussed policing model is the right one has allowed the public and partners across Aberdeen and the north-east to work much more closely with us in dealing with the local issues that matter most.”
Over the past 12 months the Granite City has received a host of accolades around it performance, featuring in both national and international surveys, now suggesting it was one of the safest major cities in the United Kingdom in which to live, work and visit.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Dunn, said: “Through community-driven initiatives such as Operation Maple, our communities have sent a clear message to those intent on committing crime in Aberdeen that it will not be tolerated.
“Community focus is one of our force priorities and this is something that we have committed to do and through the relentless campaign laid down by Operation Maple we will continue to focus on those issues of greatest concern to our communities.”
Part of the recent success can be attributed to the willingness of Grampian Police to engage with partners, with the turnaround in the city-centre a prime example.
Chief Superintendent Watson said, “In the past few years we have worked with over 70 agencies in the city centre alone and where needed have refined our approach there by introducing and building on good practice from across the country. This could not have been achieved without the very real support of Aberdeen City Council and the business community.
“However, none of us are naive enough to think that there aren’t still many challenges out there.
“As budgets inevitably tighten further we must look at even closer integration of public services and very different ways of working more meaningfully across the sectors to continue to provide the best possible services to the public.
“What I can say is that Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland is in a very strong position to do just that.”
