Crime falls on Princes Street patch

PRINCES Street was the only major city shopping area in Scotland to see a significant drop in crime in recent years, according to new statistics.

Figures revealed through Freedom of Information legislation showed crime levels on the busy street dropped from 1,468 in 2008 to 1,056 last year.

However, this also coincided with a drop in the number of pedestrians due to the city's tram works.

Despite the drop in crime, there were still 687 thefts on Princes Street last year, as well as 73 assaults.

Other offences recorded in 2009 included two homophobic breaches of the peace, a rape and one case of abduction.

In addition, one case was recorded of an individual impersonating a police officer last year, along with a case of public indecency.

Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders and Grampian Police forces were asked under FoI legislation to provide details of crimes committed on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, Princes Street in Edinburgh and Union Street in Edinburgh over the past three years.

The figures revealed that on the three streets, an average of 165 crimes were carried out every week in 2009.

Retail experts said the recession was likely to be the main cause of an increase in crime on Scotland's other major shopping streets.