VIOLENT crime has dropped by almost a quarter across Dumbarton and the Vale, a report has revealed.

The figures, to go before councillors later this week, has outlined a 23.1 per cent decrease in the first quarter of this financial year 2017/18 (April to June).

The figure is based on a comparison from last year and equates to nine fewer recorded crimes.

Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren, West Dunbartonshire’s new police commander, will outline the stats at a meeting of the Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board on Thursday.

Her report states: “Compared to Quarter 1 last year, the total number of Group 1 Crimes of Violence reduced by a further 23.1 per cent which equates to nine fewer crimes being recorded.”

It is understood the reduction is partly down to a decrease in violent crimes at the more serious end of the scale.

The report reads: “Reduced crime levels are largely due to a decrease in serious assaults which have reduced from 24 down to 14 year on year.

“Detection rates have improved on last year, up from 66.7 per cent to 83.3 per cent, although this is marginally lower than the five year average figure (85.1 per cent).”

There were 14 serious assaults recorded between April and June, 10 less than the same period last year and one attempted murder, two less than last year’s figure of three.

The report adds: “Police Scotland remains dedicated to reducing violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour within the local communities of West Dunbartonshire in order to ‘Keep People Safe.’

“Operational police activity carried out on a daily basis continues to be driven by the objectives outlined in the local policing plan: to reduce the number of victims of violent crime, to reduce the number of reported incidents of antisocial behaviour, to impact on alcohol-related violence, antisocial behaviour and disorder with particular emphasis in and around licensed premises and to increase the number of people detected for violent and domestic crime.”