Crime solving rates to be published

It was recently revealed that crime solvency statistics would no longer be available at a local level following months of falling clear-up rates.

And despite initial assurances that the figures were available online, police have since conceded that the figures are not available anywhere.

The latest solvency rate news was revealed by Mid Berwickshire’s SNP Councillor Donald Moffat at last week’s meeting of the Scottish Borders Police, Fire and Rescue and Safer Communities Board where he said a breakdown would ease concerns about the single force’s local accountability.

Mr Moffat, who is Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for community safety, said the police had drawn up plans which identified priorities for each multi-member ward in the region and would report progress to area committees.

“This information is not broken down by town at present, but this will hopefully be available within the next few months,” he added.

Mr Moffat said be believed an ongoing review of Police Scotland, by the Scottish Police Authority, would lead to more accountability and better scrutiny of policing in the Borders.

“I am confident that any changes will benefit policing in this region,” stated the councillor.

Councillor Watson McAteer added: “Donald Moffat has advised councillors after speaking to the Government Minister responsible for policing that a new computer system will be up and running in a few months’ time and local crime figures will become locally available.”