Police calls up 50% in Glasgow
.There was a surge in calls to the police in Glasgow about anti-social behaviour during the early stages of lockdown.
Reports of anti-social behaviour and public drinking offences rose significantly between April and June with 5000 more reports of anti-social behaviour compared to the same period in 2019.
These included calls to Police Scotland about Covid-19 related breaches, with an increase in neighbour disputes across Scotland.
Anti-social behaviour calls in Glasgow reached 15,833 between April and June. The figure for 2019 was 10,271.
Offences relating to public drunkenness or drinking in public increased by 144%, rising from 463 to 1130.
Crimes of violence fell by 11% during the same period, from 2872 to 2520, with serious assaults dropping from 241 to 179.
But figures show an increase in domestic abuse incidents – from 2342 between April and June last year to 2502 over the three-month period this year.
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, said the spike in anti-social behaviour reports is “predominantly linked to public nuisance calls regarding non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations”.
“We recognise people have made significant sacrifices but we are asking them to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives,” he added.
“It is too early to draw any conclusions about long-term crime trends.”
He said officers have explained laws and guidance to the public throughout the pandemic, using “enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation”.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor is set to present a report to the Scottish Police Authority on Wednesday.
It states there has been an increase in noise complaints and neighbour disputes “in relation to potential breaches of new legislation and Scottish Government guidance”.
There has been an “ongoing issue” with youth disorder, particularly during good weather, the report adds.
Around 2500 people were removed from Kelvingrove Park on June 25 due to “anti-social behaviour, drinking in public and failing to follow appropriate social distancing guidance”.
Across Scotland, more than 4000 additional fixed penalties have been issued for anti-social behaviour between April and June when compared to last year.
There were 2189 notices issued in 2019, rising to 6271 in the same period this year. More than half of these related to coronavirus regulations.
The “true impact” of the pandemic on crime in Scotland “may not be known for some time”, DCC Taylor’s report states.
Data shows “a decrease in a high number of crime areas, while simultaneously showing an increase in certain crime types”.
Reports of anti-social behaviour across Scotland rose by 45,272 when compared with April to June last year. There were 131,688 reports this year, up from 86,416.
Police Scotland expects anti-social behaviour involving young people to drop as a result of schools and sports clubs reopening.
It acknowledges children and young people have “felt isolated and disconnected” during the pandemic.