In Issue 183 we reported how, despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary, crime in Broughton seems actually to have fallen.
Below are the Lothian and Borders Police statistics on which that claim was based. Crude and partial they may be, but they nevertheless suggest a measurable decrease in reported offences on our snapshot of Broughton streets.
The very long Leith Walk (extending outwith Broughton, and unusually lively at the best of times) probably distorts the average situation. So, too, do figures for Picardy Place on which we sought additional statistics to try and explain a sudden upsurge in reported crime from February to April this year.
Crimes Reported, Feb–Apr
2009 2010
Annandale St 6 5
West Annandale St 1 1
Bellevue Rd 11 5
Bellevue St 1 2
Broughton Rd 27 25
Broughton St 35 27
Canonmills 13 11
Dundas St 15 11
East Claremont St 7 9
Leith Walk 143 129
McDonald Rd 14 17
Pilrig St 21 8
Picardy Place 35 68
Rodney St 6 4
York Place 19 18
Queen St 23 11
Picardy Place by Crime Group, Feb–Apr
Group 1 & 2 1 0
Group 3 15 25
Group 4 2 2
Group 5 1 5
Group 6 15 37
Group 7 1 0
The crimes covered in each group are:
Group 1 Crimes of Violence – e.g. Murder, Culpable Homicide, Serious Assault etc
Group 2 Crimes of Indecency – e.g. Rape, Indecent Assault, Public Indecency etc
Group 3 Crimes of Dishonesty – e.g. Theft, Fraud, Housebreaking etc
Group 4 – Fireraising, Vandalism and Malicious Mischief
Group 5 Other Crimes – e.g. Breach of Bail, Possession of an Offensive Weapon, Possession of Drugs etc
Group 6 Miscellaneous Crimes – e.g. Breach of the Peace, Minor Assault etc
Group 7 Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles – e.g. Drink Driving, No Tax, No Licence etc.