Covid leads to a fall in all reported crime across strath and wider Highlands
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The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has led to a fall in crime in Badneoch and Strathspey and the wider Highlands.
But Police Scotland has said it will take more time to know the full effect of the pandemic on some serious offences including domestic abuse and sexual crimes.
Figures published today show a slight decrease in the number of recorded crimes across the Highland and Islands Division for the first quarter of 2021-22.
The fall has been across all crime groups compared to the same period last year.
Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett said: “The pandemic has changed the policing needs of our communities and despite recording reductions in recorded crime, we are not complacent and acknowledge that domestic abuse and sexual crimes remain under-reported.
"We acknowledge that the home is not always a safe place for everyone and we continue to work alongside our colleagues in national specialist units and our partners to detect cases of domestic abuse, violence, sexual crimes and provide support to victims and their families.
“Local policing continues to be supported by specialist and national teams who are delivering a service to our local communities.
"This can be seen in the work road policing officers are delivering to improve road safety by carrying out operational activity to tackle inappropriate speeds on our roads as well as drink and drug driving.
"We are also seeing results locally thanks to the work conducted by teams such as the National Child Abuse Unit, the Domestic Abuse Task Force and the Major Investigations Team...
“The pandemic has been unprecedented for us all, however the officers and staff working across the Highland and Islands Division have been steadfast in their dedication to keeping communities safe.
"I want to thank them for their efforts over what has been a challenging period.”
The performance report will be presented at the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance committee next Wednesday.
Members of Highland Council's Badenoch and Strathspey area committee heard recently that crime figures across the strath had fallen too in all crime groups.
