The latest statistics reveal that recorded crime has risen in South Lanarkshire by 4 per cent between 2016-17 and 2017-18. Within the Scottish Government’s Recorded Crime in Scotland 2016-17 publication the figures highlighted that there has been a particularly worrying 39 per cent increase in recorded sexual crimes.
Graham Simpson MSP said “The four per cent rise in crime within South Lanarkshire might seem a small number on the face of it, but in reality it translates to hundreds of incidents. It is a clear demonstration that the SNP’s soft touch approach to justice is failing our communities. And we know the true picture is much worse given that most crime is never reported to the police. Clear-up rates have fallen, meaning more criminals are getting away with it than before.
“It is no coincidence that the SNP have slashed local police numbers and officers are increasingly doing paperwork rather than patrolling our streets. The SNP must ensure we have enough police officers on our streets to prevent and detect criminal behaviour, and reassure the public that they will be protected.
“Instead of trying to put a positive spin on these figures, the SNP government should be ensuring the police have the resources they need to do the job, and think very carefully about the messages their policies are sending.”
“It is extremely worrying to see that sexual crimes in South Lanarkshire have seen a huge jump of 39 per cent between 2016-17 and 2017-18. More must be done to support victims and to ensure that they feel able to report these evil crimes to the police.”