ONLINE crimes and trouble with neighbours have skyrocketed during the pandemic, according to new police figures.

Anti-social behaviour incidents have shot up by a third, with complaints of disorder nearly as high.

In statistics for the second quarter of last year, Police Scotland said the rise appears “largely due to the increased public concern relating to reports of persons alleged to be breaching Covid-19 restrictions”.

There was also a rise in drinking in public offences and a 57 per cent jump in racially aggravated conduct.

Crimes related to indecent images and communications have doubled, from 20 to 40 - and three quarters of those involved children aged between eight and 16. A total of 97 per cent involved the use of the internet.

Other online crimes, such as threatening behaviour, indecent communications or images, and fraud, have jumped from 30 to 145 across West Dunbartonshire. Only 36 of those cases have been solved.

The figures are part of a report to next week’s housing and communities committee at West Dunbartonshire Council.

As well as the significant increases in some crimes, violent crime dropped by a third. Serious assaults went from 55 the year before to 28. The detection rate for such crimes has improved to 70 per cent.

The report states Covid-19 lockdown restrictions “are likely” to have contributed to a cut in recorded crime.

Although the number of rapes was unchanged at 26, the detection rate improved significantly from 44 per cent to 74 per cent.

Domestic abuse crimes were down, but police said it was likely many went unreported because of the lockdown.

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson said: “With lockdown restrictions during this period, it was inevitable that crime statistics would be quite different from previous years.The fact that violent crime has reduced by 32 per cent and detection rates for serious assault have increased from 63 per cent to 70 per cent is real progress.

“With detection rates for rape crime almost doubling from 44 per cent to 74 per cent it is obvious that great work has been done in this area.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody from emergency and essential services for the tireless work they have been undertaking to keep us all safe during this coronavirus pandemic.”

Vehicle crime dropped significantly by 38 per cent, while housebreaking rose by 16 per cent. Shoplifting dropped a massive 63 per cent with most shops closed throughout much of 2020.

Police Scotland have been approached for comment.