VIOLENT crime has risen sharply in Inverclyde in the last year with the number of offences up by almost 30 per cent.

A new report published by Police Scotland also reveals that shoplifting is on the rise - with food and grocery thefts up by more than two-thirds.

In the nine months between April 1 and December 31 last year, there were 107 crimes of violence - an increase of 24 - and eight more attempted murders and serious assaults.

During the same period, there was a 30 per cent spike in shoplifting with a total of 341 offences - 79 more than in 2017 - with food and grocery thefts up by 67 per cent.

There were, however, no murders, culpable homicides or road fatalities during the nine-month spell.

The figures are included in a new report from police chiefs.

It says: "There were no murders or culpable homicides in the reporting period - three fewer victims than the same period last year. "No road fatalities were recorded in the period April-December 2018. "This represents three fewer road deaths than the previous year."

The report also revealed a sharp fall in the number of common assaults with 489 incidents recorded, which was down almost 10 per cent year-on-year and with 75 fewer victims.

Worryingly, there was a high number of attacks on emergency services staff.

There were 71 assaults on police officers, 22 of which occurred while the offender was in custody.

A further 11 attacks involved other emergency workers.

Other key findings include a 30 per cent drop in housebreaking and attempted break-ins, with 53 fewer crimes.

The rate of violence overall across Inverclyde amounted to 74 incidents per 10,000 people compared with the national average of 89.

There has been a rise in fraud, which the case rate up by 83 per cent, two more sexual crimes, with 143 in total, and 11 serious road injuries - up by four.

Across the Inverclyde and Renfrewshire division, 58 people were prosecuted for drug supply charges - three more than the previous year - with cannabis involved in half the cases while cocaine and crack cocaine featured in 28 per cent or arrests.

There were 14 drug-related deaths and a further two linked to illegal narcotics.

Division-wide, 59 people were arrested for links to serious and organised crime with over £807,000 recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The stats will be presented at Inverclyde Council's local police and fire scrutiny committee meeting on February 21.