Half of Scotland's police beats hit by soaring crime rate

HALF of Scottish communities are being blighted by soaring crime rates even as national figures continue to fall.

Areas such as Edinburgh's New Town have been identified as hot spots among the country's 1,130 beats in the most detailed snapshot of local crime trends available.

A total of 546 beats saw an increase in offences between April 2007 and March 2009, with violent crimes such as murders and serious assaults rising in 384.

In the New Town, the total number of offences stood at 5,274, second only to Aberdeen centre, around Union Street, with 7,942 crimes.

Opposition parties seized on the figures as proof the SNP government is soft on crime. The administration pointed to overall statistics showing crime was at a 25-year low.

Crimes of dishonesty, such as armed robbery, theft and housebreaking, increased in 536 neighbourhoods, while public disorder and anti-social behaviour and breach of the peace rose in 523.

After Aberdeen and Edinburgh's New Town, the worst five hot spots included Dumfries with 4,578, Edinburgh's west end with 3,874 and Elgin with 3,564.

Some areas have seen improvements. Greenock East saw 170 fewer crimes, while Bannockburn, near Stirling, and Wester Hailes, in Edinburgh, saw drops of 34 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

David Mundell, the Dumfriesshire MP, said the SNP's "soft touch" image played a role in the rise of low-level crime. He questioned whether certain areas were being deprived of resources because they did not have strong levels of SNP support.

Edinburgh City SNP councillor David Beckett, who represents the New Town ward, said: "This is a nonsensical allegation. The SNP Scottish Government is committed to cutting crime across the country. One thousand extra bobbies on the beat is just one way in which we are working towards a safer Scotland."

Labour's shadow justice secretary, Richard Baker,

said: "We can't be satisfied with a slight decrease in overall crime if there are sharp increases in localised areas."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "Under this administration, recorded crime is at a 25-year low, and the number of police officers is at an all-time record of 17,278."

TOP TEN

Aberdeen city centre: 7,942

Edinburgh New Town: 5,274

Dumfries: 4,578

Edinburgh West End: 3,874

Elgin: 3,564

Edinburgh Waverley: 3,333

Paisley centre south: 2,906

Glasgow Buchanan St south/Queen Street: 2,867

Peterhead: 2,809

Denny town centre: 2,596