Shocking police report reveals rise in crime across Edinburgh under lockdown

New figures show domestic abuse, sexual crimes, drug-related crime, and anti-social behaviour has skyrocketed in Edinburgh during the coronavirus pandemic, while the recorded number of violent crimes, hate crimes, house-breakings and thefts has decreased.

Police Scotland officers faced rising crime rates

A Police Scotland report, set to be presented to a meeting of Edinburgh City Council’s policy and sustainability committee on Tuesday December 1, shows the number of recorded crimes in the capital between April and September of this year.

Domestic abuse has risen by more than nine percent, with 258 more incidents than the same April-September period in 2020.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor said: “Even prior to the pandemic, home was not a safe place for victims and children experiencing domestic abuse in local communities across Edinburgh.

Crime rise: DCI Sarah Taylor

“Victims already faced complex decisions and a wide range of barriers preventing their ability to safely escape an abusive partner.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, when mobility is constrained and vulnerabilities increase, challenges facing victims in escaping abusive partners have increased.

“Police in Edinburgh have continued to work with both statutory and third sector partners to ensure that those affected by domestic abuse can access and receive the necessary support and help when needed.

“The Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit played a key role in the development of collaborative approach with the local authority with regards to the provision of safe place accommodation within locality hubs to enable the delivery of specialist support work by Edinburgh Women’s Aid for children affected by domestic abuse.”

Drug-related crime, such as manufacturing or supplying drugs, has increased by 13.5 per cent, with 165 more crimes compared to the five-year average of recorded crimes during April-September of each year.

Detective Inspector Robert Campbell said: “CID have focused their efforts on dismantling a well-established serious and organised crime group which had been entrenched in the south east of Edinburgh for over a decade.

“Enforcement tactics resulted in the principle of the group forced into being ‘hands on’, and was consequently charged with drug supply, along with six of his associates.

“Addresses were searched, with upwards of £50,000 in class A drugs being recovered and further arrests made.

“The operation not only evidenced large scale drug dealing, but also identified human trafficking, serious assaults, abductions and various other offences committed by the group.

“With their foothold in Edinburgh severely disrupted, numerous victims have been allowed to break free from fear and exploitation.”

Anti-social behaviour, including vandalism and fire-raising, increased by 26.6 per cent. There were 4,325 more incidents between April and September of this year, when compared to the five-year average for the same time period.

However, the report explains this massive increase is due to lockdown breaches: “Antisocial behaviour incidents have been heavily affected by government restrictions, demonstrated by a significant reduction in recorded crime, contrasting with a large increase in reports of anti-social behaviour.

“This rise is attributed to Covid-19-related regulation and compliance calls being classed as anti-social behaviour on our command and control system.”

Sexual crimes, including rape, sexual assault and lewd and libidinous practises, have increased by 4.9 per cent, including 17 more recorded rapes and 35 more ‘communicating indecently’ offences compared to the five-year average.

On the other hand, the capital has seen a reduction in violent crimes, with crimes like murder, serious assault and robbery down 4.2 per cent.

Detective Chief Inspector Graham Grant put the reduction down to the lack of football matches, festivals and nightlife over the course of the pandemic: “I am satisfied with how we have performed as a division around crimes of violence.

“Clearly the landscape remains very different to what we come to routinely expect year on year in Edinburgh.

“The summer months through to September came with a real reduction in our event footprint and subsequent associated footfall in the city.

“While the period saw a resurgence in some respect of city centre movement, it was in no way comparable to a typical summer fringe and festival period.

“Clearly that accounts for much of the significant reduction in recorded crimes we see across violent crime types, much of which is linked to the night time economy and alcohol consumption.”

Targeted housebreaking and acquisitive crime, such as shoplifting and theft, has reduced by nearly a third, 32.2 per cent, compared to the five-year average, 3,131 fewer instances than usual.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said Police Scotland were expecting an increase in housebreaking as lockdown guidelines were eased: “I am pleased to report the continued reduction in acquisitive crime across Edinburgh Division during quarter two.

“With the easing of lockdown and our communities phasing into a new normal, including many householders returning to their places of work, it was anticipated we would see an uplift in domestic housebreaking and other acquisitive crime offences.

“However, with the continued efforts of the Community Investigation Unit to target domestic and business housebreaking offenders, we have seen a continued downward trend on the commission rates compared to this time last year for these offences.”

Overall driving offences, such as drink driving, speeding and using a mobile phone, have reduced by 14.3 per cent, however, dangerous driving offences have increased by 46.5 per cent and driving without insurance offences have increased by 45.1 per cent.

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