CRIME in Dumfries and Galloway took a dip in the second half of the year, according to Police Scotland’s half yearly performance report.

The region includes Sanquhar, Kirkconnel and Kelloholm.

The report, announced last week, shows that reported crime was down by more than 20 per cent from April 1 to September 30 compared to the same time last year.

Other highlights reveal that detection rates are sitting at a very healthy 65 per cent, meaning that nearly two out of every three crimes reported are solved.

Violent crimes, including assaults, robbery and assault with intent to rob are down by 33 per cent from 91 to 61 crimes.

Housebreaking, thefts, fraud and car crime are down nearly 19 per cent, a drop of some 216 crimes.

Whilst those killed on the roads has decreased from seven to just five in the first six months of the year, those injured in crashes, either slightly or seriously, has risen from 184 to 203 casualties.

Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Bobby Moore said: “I am delighted with the figures recently published which clearly confirm that officers, special constables and staff in the Division remain committed to providing the very best policing service. Our focus is on keeping people safe and we do this in collaboration with our communities, by listening to what matters to them. The hard work and dedication of all our staff across the Division linked with the strong relationships we have with our partners and other community groups continues to be key element in this success.” Chief Superintendent Moore added: “These figure are nothing short of remarkable when you measure them against some of the transition we have seen across the force in the past 18 months or so. The creation of a single policing service has enabled us to build on best practice whilst improving our policing response, ensuring that we are able access specialist resources and expertise no matter when and where required across Dumfries and Galloway.

“Our challenge now, as ever, is to maintain, and improve this level of performance. There are areas where we need to keep focused in order to deliver on our 'keeping people safe’ aim. Domestic abuse figures are up from 509 cases in 2013 to 614 cases this year. Our focus is on a victim-centred approach, which is consistent across Scotland, and we now actively seek out any criminal activity when an incident is reported. We are grateful for the support of the national Domestic Abuse Task Force in some of our more serious and complicated cases.

“I remain confident about the level of professionalism in our local policing service and would want to take time to pay tribute to the officers, special constables and staff of the Division who, in collaboration with our communities and partners, deliver these positive results. Likewise I would wish to thank the members of the Police, Fire and rescue Committee of the council for their support in our endeavours.”