DOMESTIC abuse and violent crime reports are on the rise in Inverclyde, according to newly-published figures - though overall crime is down year-on-year.

A report to Inverclyde Council’s police and fire scrutiny panel has revealed a 5.8 per cent drop in crimes and offences between the start of April this year and the end of August when compared to the same period the year before.

The total number of police incidents has also fallen by 13 per cent, a decline which police attribute in part to a reduction in silent or abandoned 999 calls.

Violent crime has risen by 7.3 per cent in the five-month period, though reports of anti-social behaviour has decreased by 12.4 per cent, with a total of 902 incidents brought to the attention of Police Scotland.

Police say that tackling disorder and antisocial behaviour remains a key focus of the Inverclyde Partnership Hub, a police-led multi-agency initiative that collaborates with statutory and third-sector organisations.

Crimes involving damage and reckless behaviour also fell by 19.2 per cent compared to the previous year and reports of vandalism also fell by 15.3 per cent.

Wilful fireraising crimes fell significantly with 14 crimes recorded compared to 36 in the same period last year.

In the space of five months more than 60 hate crimes were recorded in Inverclyde, something police say is due in part to the introduction of Scotland’s new Hate Crime and Public Order Act, which has made it easier to identify hate crimes.

There were more than 360 incidents of domestic abuse recorded in Inverclyde over the previous year, an increase of 19.5 per cent year-on-year. 

In the report police state: “Tackling domestic abuse remains a top priority for the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division.

“Although domestic abuse is widely considered under-reported, the police are committed to providing a professional, sensitive, and consistent response to victims.

“Caution should be exercised in comparing the number of domestic abuse which involved crimes being recorded, and the detection rate, due to a change in methodology and counting rules in the current reporting year, arising from the introduction of new recording systems.”

The report confirmed that one drug-related death occurred in Inverclyde during the reporting period, with eight suspected drug-related deaths awaiting toxicology results.

A range of substances are suspected of having contributed to these deaths, including cocaine, heroin, etizolam and ecstasy.

Police say they recorded 14 road traffic casualties in Inverclyde during the reporting period, a 54.8 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2023.

The report will be discussed at the next meeting of Inverclyde Council’s police and fire scrutiny panel on November 21.