Serious assaults up 52% in the North East
The North East is getting more violent
The North East is getting more violent, as the number of serious assaults has risen by 52% over the past year.
The police say it's partly down to changes in the way they record crime.
They've announced that they'll be putting on more high visilibility patrols to reassure the public.
The highest number of serious assaults was recorded in May, mainly owing to two Bank Holiday weekends.
81% of victims and known perpetrators of serious assaults are male.
The average age of victims is 29 years while for perpetrators, it is 27 years.
Chief Inspector Murray Main, who leads the prevention strategy for violence, said: "There has been an increase in violence across the North East and we are taking action to address this.
"We recently launched Operation PINE, a targeted initiative to tackle violent crime across the region and this has ensured our detection rates for this type of crime remains about 90%.
"In relative terms we continue to be amongst the safest places to live, work and visit, but any rise in this type of crime is going to be a concern to us and the communities we serve.
"There remains a small minority of individuals who, for whatever reason, are unable to behave or are intent on causing trouble. Their actions can have the most profound impact not only on victims, but witnesses and families.
"My message is quite clear; in the space of just a few seconds and just one punch, you could risk losing your freedom.
"These incidents not only impact on the victim and their friends, family and witnesses but on the perpetrator, their friends and family too.
"We will do everything we can to ensure those responsible face the full consequences of their actions."
John Thomson, NHS Grampian's Clinical Director of Emergency Medicine said: "The Emergency Department continues to deal with a significant number of victims of assaults and other acts of violence on a daily basis.
"Injuries sustained after a violent incident can range from being relatively minor - cuts and bruising - to severe: life-changing for the victim and their family and, unfortunately, sometimes resulting in death.
"We fully support Police Scotland in this endeavour to reduce the number of assault and violent crime."