Police take dangerous weapons off Fife streets

Police have removed dangerous weapons from Fife’s streets.

Operation Path - the region’s ongoing anti-violence initiative - said today it had recorded six additional incidents of carrying an offensive weapon in the first quarter of 2020.

The stats, contained in the quarterly analysis of crime, also revealed a major drop in serious assaults - down 25% from 63 to 47.

Police said the fall came as lockdown restrictions saw all pubs and clubs closed.

But, anti-social behaviour was UP by more than 46 per cent - a rise put down to calls made to police relating to Covid-19 regulations.

Fraud also showed an increase in line with national stats, with 266 cases reported - a major rise on 167 recorded over the same time period last year.

Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, Divisional Commander for Fife, said: “I want to pay tribute to the police officers and staff who, during these last few months, have worked tirelessly to maintain a business as usual approach to dealing with criminality all whilst supporting our communities through the ongoing public health crisis, maintaining Fife as a safe place to live, work and visit.

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“The performance stats emphasise so much positive work is ongoing and this will continue.

“The recording period for the first quarter has come during an unprecedented time, not only for Police Scotland, but the world, and as such we shouldn’t be tempted to jump to conclusions about crime trends.

“We will be pragmatic in our response to the current rise in certain offences.”

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