A dramatic rise was seen in the seizures of crack cocaine

Chief Constable Colin McKerracher said seizures of crack cocaine increased by 700% and heroin by 250%.

Though the report showed an overall fall in crime across the region, concern was raised over serious violent incidents, which rose to 1,048.

Housebreaking fell to an all-time low, affecting 1,263 houses, and assaults and robberies also fell by 28%.

City centre violence, anti-social behaviour and prostitution were also targeted by police, said the report.

Drugs tackled

Special initiatives were highlighted, with figures showing that Operation Blaven - which tackles drug trafficking by organised criminals in England - resulted in 172 drug supply charges.

More than 3kg of heroin and 4.11kg of crack cocaine with a potential street value of �891,880, were seized along with �71,626 in cash.

Chief Constable Colin McKerracher claims detection rates have risen

The range of initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour were said to be a success.

In Aberdeen, warning letters were sent to almost a thousand parents whose children had been involved in anti-social behaviour, with 60% of those young people not coming to police attention again.

However, road casualty fatalities rose from 53 to 62, with police pledging to address problems with a new road safety campaign.