ONLINE crimes and trouble with neighbours have skyrocketed during the pandemic, according to new police figures.

Anti-social behaviour incidents have shot up by a third, with complaints of disorder nearly as high.

In statistics for the second quarter of last year, Police Scotland said the rise appears “largely due to the increased public concern relating to reports of persons alleged to be breaching Covid-19 restrictions”.

There was also a rise in drinking in public offences and a 57 per cent jump in racially aggravated conduct.

Crimes related to indecent images and communications have doubled, from 20 to 40 - and three quarters of those involved children aged between eight and 16. A total of 97 per cent involved the use of the internet.

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Other online crimes, such as threatening behaviour, indecent communications or images, and fraud, have jumped from 30 to 145 across West Dunbartonshire.

Only 36 of those cases have been solved.

The figures are part of a report to this week’s housing and communities committee at West Dunbartonshire Council.

As well as the significant increases in some crimes, violent crime dropped by a third.

Serious assaults went from 55 the year before to 28.

The detection rate for such crimes has improved to 70 per cent.

The report to councillors states Covid-19 lockdown restrictions “are likely” to have contributed to a cut in recorded crime.

Although the number of rapes was unchanged at 26, the detection rate improved significantly from 44 per cent to 74 per cent.

Domestic abuse crimes were down, but police said it was likely many went unreported because of the lockdown something women’s aid organisations have warned about.

Vehicle crime dropped significantly by 38 per cent, while housebreaking rose by 16 per cent.

Shoplifting crimes dropped a massive 63 per cent year-on-year with most shops having been forced to close during the period because of the pandemic.

Police Scotland have been approached for comment.

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