Crime decline bucking the trend for Borders policing

There has only been three recorded serious assaults in the Tweeddale area since this time last year when the number was up by four.

Similarly, the number of common assaults recorded is one less than last year’s 58.

While this is a very slight decline, Inspector Tony Hodges remains positive about the crime reduction praising the efforts of local licenced premises.

He told a Tweeddale area forum meeting on Wednesday. March 1, that: “These figures buck the current trends for this policing division and whilst every assault is one to many, I hope it is reassuring that violent crime is not seeing any rise in your area.

“It is very difficult to give an evidenced based rationale for this but needless to say the good working relationship with the licensed premises in your area fostered through the local licensing board must take some of the credit.”

In addition the meeting heard that the number of antisocial behaviour incidents reported have reduced from 534 to 455.

Inspector Hodges said: “Again this is a fairly significant decrease in comparison with the rest of the region and the ongoing partnership approach fostered by the SBC Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and the local housing associations is undoubtedly paying dividend.”

The meeting heard that police continue to focus on reducing crime, to increase public reassurance within the community and to keep people safe.

He said that residents of the area told police that their main concerns are thefts, inconsiderate drivers. bogus workers and callers and drugs.

In response the police are urging residents to report anything they feel is suspicious.

He added: “I don’t want to hit a panic button as figures show that overall these crimes are down but I fully understand the personal impact such crimes have on residents and their neighbours.”

Tweeddale East councillor Graham Garvie said: “I think that this reduction in crime is to be welcomed.”

This was backed by Tweeddale West councillor Willie Archibald who called the update a “Police Scotland success story”.