Rise in crime forcing Edinburgh cops to prioritise offences
Police officers in the capital say they're stretched amid increasing demand
The total number of crimes taking place within Edinburgh has increased, as Police Scotland faces hard decisions about resourcing amid increasing levels of demand.
Data published last week covering the period of April to June 2023 shows the total number of recorded criminal incidents has risen from 7,081, to 7,136.
While serious assaults have fallen from 80, to 69, and there have also been seven fewer attempted murders, there have been three murders recorded within the division – two more than the same period last year.
There has been an increase in the number of robberies recorded, but the detection rate for these offences has also risen, with 19 more incidents solved.
Sexual crime has also risen, with an additional 32 incidents reported, including two more reports of rape or assault with intent to rape. Indecent and sexual assaults have, however, decreased from 143, to 119.
However, the total number of housebreaking, including attempted break-ins has fallen from 293, to 249. Motor vehicle crime has also reduced from 586 reports, to 514.
The city has also seen a significant reduction in the number of road casualties, which have more than halved, when compared with the same period of 2022.
In total there have been zero fatalities – three fewer than last year, as well as 26 fewer serious injury collisions and 67 fewer slight injury collisions.
Overall motoring offences have also fallen from 2,380, to 2,232.
Top cop with "hard choices" admission
Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “I acknowledge and accept that the current quarterly data, which shows a rise in recorded crime for the Capital, may be of concern to our communities and I want to reiterate my commitment to ensuring we dedicate our policing resources appropriately to address developing crime trends and provide the best level of service we can to the public.
“However, as T/Deputy Chief Constable Speirs has stated, Police Scotland is facing sustained levels of demand, with over 600,000 calls received from the public in the first quarter of 2023 and over 420,000 incidents recorded.
“This, coupled with the reduction in personnel numbers and budget restraints, means the service must make hard choices and Edinburgh is not immune to this.
"We must look closely at the resource we have and how it can be best utilised to address developing crime trends and support the needs of Edinburgh’s public.