Capital crime map plots big differences in clear-up rates

Published on Wednesday 30 June 2010 10:03

MORE crimes are solved by police in Craigmillar and Wester Hailes than in Morningside or Murrayfield, new figures have revealed.

A map of clear-up rates across the Capital shows large variations in the percentage of crimes solved in different areas, with Balerno at the bottom of the league table with 23.8 per cent.

Today's figures also show that less than a third of offences are solved in many areas of Edinburgh despite a city-wide average of 40 per cent between last April and March.

One of the main reasons behind the discrepancies is that more minor crimes such as vandalism, which are more difficult to solve, are reported in affluent areas.

Such so-called "lower-level" crime was more likely to be reported in richer areas than in the city's more deprived estates.

Leith was the area with the city's highest proportion of crimes solved, at 49.5 per cent, with Newington/Southside in second place at 45.8 per cent.

Alongside Balerno, the other areas where clear-up rates fell below a third were Corstorphine/Drumbrae/Gyle, Drylaw/Inverleith, Morningside/Southside, Leith Walk, and Murrayfield/Corstorphine.

In Balerno, only 23 per cent of the 48 reported housebreakings were solved during the year, compared with the city average of 39 per cent, while only one of the five serious assaults was cleared up.

Councillor Alastair Paisley, one of the councillors who covers Balerno, said: "I'm both happy and unhappy these figures. I'm happy to see that Balerno has a low crime rate but it's disappointing that the solvency rate is also low.

"My constituents are very vigilant and willing to report crimes, such as vandalism, which might go unreported in other areas, so that may be a factor. There may also be criminals who come into the area to commit offences before leaving again, which might make cases more difficult to solve.

"I've no complaints about our community beat officer as he does an incredible job."

Chief Superintendent Gill Imery, Edinburgh's division commander, said the clear-up figures "should not be considered in isolation".

She said: "Instead of focusing on what might have been traditionally considered 'hotspot' areas for crime, we are now focusing on the offender, and are working to identify and trace the small number of prolific offenders who are responsible for the largest volume of problems. One area will not receive more attention than another, instead our work is based on intelligence, and will be resourced accordingly.

"Our safer neighbourhood teams are being established throughout the city, aiming to engage with local communities, which is a key factor in detecting crime.

"I would like to reassure people living in Edinburgh that we thoroughly investigate all crimes reported to us, and the chance of crimes being solved does not depend on the area in which you live."