Inverclyde has higher crime rate than Edinburgh

Official figures show the area falls within the worst six local authorities in the country and is ranked one place above Edinburgh for offences including violence, dishonesty, fraud, fire raising and vandalism.

The report also reveals there were over 500 breaches of Covid public health restrictions during the toughest months of the pandemic.

One of the most high profile cases was when yobs rioted at an illegal bonfire and fireworks display in Larkfield.

But Inverclyde's police area commander Chief Inspector Paul Cameron has praised the public for their support during the coronavirus chaos.

He believes that, in general, local people behaved commendably.

Chief Inspector Cameron said: “I would like to thank the public in Inverclyde, especially our young people who behaved exceptionally in adhering to the Covid restrictions.

"Police officers in Inverclyde followed the policy of engage, educate, encourage and, as a last option, enforce."

The area commander did not comment directly on the crime stats report from insurance firm A Plan, compiled using Scottish Government data, as Police Scotland are set to publish their own crime figures later this month.

The study shows that from May 2020 to March 2021 Inverclyde - one of the smallest local authorities in the country - had a total of 511 crimes recorded per 10,000 people.

Edinburgh's rate was 499 per 10k.

The breakdown of crimes shows 520 Covid-rule related offences, 136 non sexual crimes of violence, 98 cases of sexual violence - which includes reports of historical cases.

There were 1,281 crimes of dishonestly, which includes thefts and fraud and almost 600 cases of fire-raising and vandalism.

The remaining miscellaneous crimes, classed as other offences, totalled 1,337.

Police scrutiny board convenor Councillor Tommy McVey praised police officers for their efforts during the pandemic.

He added: "I think the police did a great job in very difficult circumstances during the pandemic."