We hesitate to report this, given that our last account of a reduction in Edinburgh crime was followed almost immediately by an assault on our doorstep. However, these rather startling figures are worth noting.
Statistics released by Police Scotland yesterday suggest violent crimes and housebreakings have reduced in the capital.
POLICE SEEK WITNESSES
Police seek witnesses after a man was assaulted near King George V Park at around 2pm on Saturday 25 April.
The victim was verbally abused in the park by 4 men, who accused him of taking their photograph. They followed him through the Rodney Street tunnel, continuing to shout, before demanding money, then racially abusing and assaulting him at the Tesco end.
They ran off through the tunnel when Tesco staff came to the victim’s aid.
Police Scotland today issued the following press release. With the exception of added subheadings, we reproduce it unedited and in full.
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RECORDED CRIME DOWN DURING SCOTLAND’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
Recorded crime has fallen by around a quarter since measures to support physical distancing came into effect, early indications suggest.
Police Scotland issued a press release today. We reproduce it, unedited and in full, below.
Police Scotland is advising the public to be cautious of strangers offering bogus services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Social distancing and self-isolation mean more people than usual are in their homes at the moment. This presents an ideal opportunity for criminals to take advantage of elderly and vulnerable people, in particular.