Sir Roy: Satisfied with performance

Chief Constable Sir Roy Cameron predicted the 14.6% rise in crime a year ago but he added that the improvement in the detection rate meant 41% of crimes were now solved, the highest figure the force had ever recorded.

"The improvement in detection rates in line with the force operational goals reflects the enormous amount of hard work by detectives, uniform and support staff," Sir Roy said.

"In particular it is worth noting that there has been an 8.4% increase in the number of housebreakings solved, a crime that can have a devastating personal impact on victims."

Targeted operations

Sir Roy said he was particularly pleased with detection rates in the Borders where they were as high as 63% and among the best in Scotland.

Detection rates in the city divisions have also increased over the previous year. That success is being attributed to a number of high-profile operations:

• Foil - which targeted heroin and other drugs

• Avalanche - which targeted people carrying offensive weapons

• Magpie - which was aimed at housebreakers.

Other key findings in the report include:

• Violent crimes have fallen by 6.7%

• Sex crimes and offences are down by 23% or 297 incidents

• But fraud has soared by 170% with many cases relating to the fraudulent use of credit card details.

• Vandalism is up by 12% - an added 1700 crimes.

Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood, in charge of crime policy, said: "We are now satisfied with our performance and while not complacent I know we now detect crime to a much higher standard.

"We have come a long way, but it's fair to say there was room for improvement."

"Our past performance in crimes such as housebreaking was frankly poor - we acknowledged that and have moved up a gear to achieve these results."