RISING crime figures in Fife may look "stark" compared to the same period last year but police have warned against making unfair comparisons.

The force issued its performance report for April to the end of June, which show increases in the Kingdom, including violent offences, sex crimes, drugs charges, shoplifting, fire-raising and fraud.

That's been reflected across the country but Police Scotland pointed out the same three months in 2020 were during lockdown and therefore very different.

In a report, Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, the divisional commander for Fife, said that with COVID restrictions having been removed mostly, the increase in various crimes "may look stark in contrast to 2020" but cautioned about making direct comparisons "given the level of restrictions we were subject to last year".

He added: “I want to make it clear that Fife is, and will continue to be, a safe place and whenever we identify a rising crime trend we will utilise all resources at our disposal to address these.

"We will also continue to work with partners to build on the success we have observed in reducing certain offences.”

And, at the environment and protective services sub-committee last week, he told councillors: "When you compare this year's data to last year's data it's skewed, simply because of the demands that COVID has presented to us all.

"So the report does have some figures that relate to three- and five-year comparisons, just to perhaps give members some comfort there's nothing too alarming happening out there to cause real concern to our communities."

Overall crime figures have gone up across Scotland and there's a similar pattern in the Kingdom with an additional 563 offences.

Mr McEwan added that the lockdowns had been "an extremely challenging time for us all" and praised police officers and the public for their efforts to maintain law and order.

Compared to the April to June period in Fife in 2020, violent crime increased from 129 to 158 offences and the detection rate dropped from 89 per cent to almost 77 per cent.

There were no murders or culpable homicides, there were six attempted murders, 53 serious assaults and 15 cases of robbery and assault.

There were 31 domestic abuse cases – two where a male was the victim – and 18 cruel and unnatural treatment of children offences.

Sex crimes were up from 225 to 413, with rape and attempted rapes climbing from 44 to 74 and sexual assault up from 46 to 104.

Detection rates were also up, to almost 84 per cent.

Housebreaking incidents, including attempted break-ins, fell from 138 to 120 but the detection rate also dropped from 58 per cent to 34 per cent.

Motor vehicle offences also went down, from 139 to 127.

Common theft was up, from 337 to 369 offences, shoplifting rocketed from 325 to 439 and fraud climbed from 220 to 300 offences.

Fire-raising rose from 41 to 54 offences while vandalism/malicious mischief increased from 535 to 685 incidents.

Drug crimes went up from 375 to 404 and the number of people charged with carrying weapons fell slightly to 111 – although detection rates for both rose markedly.

The public reported almost 7,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour, a big drop from 9,856.

There was one fatal road crash in Fife, the same as in 2020, serious injuries from road accidents also fell while slight injuries went up.

The number of motoring offences, including dangerous driving, speeding and drink-driving, went up by 633.