FIGURES released this week by police chiefs in West Dunbartonshire revealed that 83 people linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested in the area in the past year.

In addition, Police Scotland’s Divisional Commander Hazel Hendren also told how £321,728 had been seized from individuals within West Dunbartonshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

She also stated that serious and organised crime has been “disrupted” in the past three months with intelligence led policing resulting in the recovery of two firearms and one air rifle from, what police branded “violent individuals” They had been linked to organised crime groups in three separate incidents.

Drugs deaths in the past year have jumped considerably, the police said, with 23 recorded across West Dunbartonshire during 2017/18, compared to just eight in 2016/17, seven have yet to be confirmed.

In a notable recent drugs recovery, within West Dunbartonshire controlled drugs with an estimated value of £12,000 were seized, causing what the police described as “a significant disruption” to dealers’ supply network.

Superintendent Brian Gibson, area commander for West Dunbartonshire, produced a series of crime figures for the area at a meeting of the West Dunbartonshire community planning management board last Thursday.

then produced a series of jaw dropping crime figures for the area across all areas of policing duties.

Sexual crimes, including rape, increased by 38.9 per cent since 2016/17, with the detection date having reduced to just 50 per cent in comparison to 61.8 per cent the previous year.

A 22-year-old man has been reported for a number of alleged offences following protracted enquiries by the Divisional Abuse Investigation Unit. He is currently remanded in custody.

Police figures show that approximately 80 per cent of sex crimes happen within a private space, predominately residential dwelling homes.

Supt Gibson said: “Figures show 66 per cent of sexual crimes were committed by a partner, spouse, family member or friend.

“People are becoming more confident to come forward and report historical sex offences.”

While reports of sexual crimes have increased, violent crime in the West Dunbartonshire area has fallen by a further 6.7 per cent – significantly lower than the five-year average.

Supt Gibson told the meeting: However, Supt. Gibson was delighted to announce that violent crime within West Dunbartonshire had reduced by a further 6.7 per cent, significantly lower than the five year average. He told the Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board this week: “Since April 1, 2017, 1,104 crimes have been recorded due to police pro-activity.”

Car crimes have dropped by 54.7 per cent and housebreakings have dropped by 5.3 per cent.

The police chief went on: “Figures remain 14.3 per cent below the five year average and the detection rate for domestic housebreakings remain higher at 18.9 per cent.”

It was also revealed that the police locally have a team of “cyber constables” in place across West Dunbartonshire as a preventative measure when countering those intent on using internet and digital devices to commit crime.

“We have a number of officers in key areas who are able to give advice and guidance in respect of online security,” Supt Gibson continued, “particularly in relation to child sexual exploitation, commercial fraud and domestic internet use.

“Two cybercrime hubs will shortly be delivered to the division and officers have been identified to receive training in their operation.”