RECORDED hate crimes in Inverclyde have soared year-on-year, a report has revealed - even though overall crime has dropped significantly.

Police Scotland statistics show that the number of crimes and offences recorded in Inverclyde in April, May and June of this year was 1,349.

That represents a fall of 13.3 per cent compared to the same period the year before.

A total of 39 hate incidents were reported, of which 36 resulted in a crime being recorded.

That compares to a total of just nine in the same three months of 2023.

Race was the most commonly targeted characteristic, followed by age, according to the report. 

Officers were victims in three of the crimes recorded, while a further three crimes targeted retail workers.

The figures were published ahead of Inverclyde Council’s next police and fire scrutiny panel meeting.

The same report reveals recorded violent crimes have also gone up by 4.2 per cent to 222, which police have attributed to an increase in minor violence.

Common assaults have also risen by six percent to a total of 193 crimes, while crimes of serious violence fell by 6.5 per cent.

Robberies (including assault with intent to rob) fell from 12 to eight crimes and there were 18 serious assaults recorded.

On crimes of violence, the police report states: “The rate of recorded crimes of violence per 10k in Inverclyde is 28.9, lower than the national rate of 30.8 crimes per 10k.

“The detection rate for violent crimes in Inverclyde is 64 per cent, comparable to the previous year’s rate.

“Approximately half of all reported violent crimes in Inverclyde occurred in private spaces such as dwelling houses and flats.

“Violence occurring in private spaces tends to be associated with unique challenges to Police, with limited investigative opportunities (witnesses, CCTV etc) and fewer opportunities for prevention.

“Whilst this is challenging, particularly in respect of Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls, officers are trained to identify other investigative opportunities where possible.”

Recorded domestic abuse incidents rose by 22 per cent, for a total of 222, but police say that caution should be taken when comparing the two years due to recent changes in the way such incidents are recorded.

They have stated in the report that assisting victims of domestic abuse remains a top priority for the division

Police recorded 19 sexual crimes over the course of the three-month period, a substantial decrease on the 34 which were recorded during the same spell the year before.

More than half of the recorded sexual crimes were related to non-contact offences, such as sexual exposure and indecent communications.

Police attributed an 18.5 per cent rise in overall crimes of dishonesty to shoplifting, which they said had more than doubled, from 88 crimes in 2023 to 188 this year.

Shoplifting offences account for more than half of all crimes of dishonesty recorded.

Repeat offending has been identified as a key issue, with police saying that just five individuals had been charged in relation to more than a quarter of all offences recorded in the reporting period.

The statistics also revealed that common theft, recorded fraud housebreaking and thefts/attempted thefts of motor vehicles had fallen.

Road traffic casualties were down 38 per cent year-on-year, while disorder complaints and missing person reports also dropped.

The scrutiny panel will consider the report at a meeting on Thursday, September 19.