FRAUD and serious or fatal road collisions are the only blemishes on Fife's criminal report card.

New figures from Police Scotland show that crime has fallen across the board in the second quarter (Q2) of the year.

The statistics for April to September revealed that 274 less offences have taken place compared to the same period last year.

As a result, overall crime has dropped by 3.7 per cent.

Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, Divisional Commander for Fife, said the figures were "extremely encouraging", but warned against complacency in the months ahead.

He said: "Where we have seen successes in the second quarter, we cannot and will not become complacent and, as the figures for fraud and road collisions suggest, we must work with other agencies to reduce these figures as part of Operation Principle and Operation Paramount respectively."

Incidents of serious or fatal road collisions both rose in Q2 compared to 2018/19.

Fatal collisions have doubled from 5 to 10, and serious injuries are also up to 43 from 38.

Fraud offences - which includes phishing, vishing and romance fraud - increased to 361 from 269, a large rise of 34 per cent.

The figures look better elsewhere though, with declines in a wide number of areas.

Sexual offences fell by 4 per cent in Q2 and there were also reductions in assaults.

Serious assaults decreased by 18 per cent, while minor incidents were also down by 16.5 per cent.

Detection levels for both categories are 93.6 and 102.6 per cent, respectively.

Anti-social behaviour has fallen - a decrease of 7.5 per cent - and this is attributed to extensive partnership activity conducted throughout Fife aimed at diverting young people away from getting involved in such offences.

Incidents of vandalism have dropped by 12 per cent, with 177 less crimes occurring.

Fire-raising is also down by more than 25 per cent.

Tackling all forms of acquisitive crime has been a divisional priority within Fife and between April and September, domestic housebreaking has reduced from 152 to 126 incidents - a fall of more than 17 per cent.

There have also been less robbery reports in the second quarter, with the detection rate at 96 per cent.

Motor vehicle crime, thefts and reports of shoplifting are also less than the 2018 figures.

Mr McEwan added: "It is extremely encouraging to see wholesale reductions in various crimes across the Kingdom and I want to take this opportunity to thank my officers and staff for the outstanding work they do on a daily basis, alongside our relevant partners.

"I want to assure our communities that throughout Fife, local officers are regularly undertaking a range of policing initiatives and partnership collaborations aimed at improving the quality of life for everyone who live, work and visit here."