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Crime wave just an illusion

Submitted by Editor on

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.