Police have hailed a reduction in violent crime across the north-east.
New figures released yesterday reveal a 14% reduction in serious assaults across the North East division, with detection rates up from 87.5% to 93.6% when compared with April-September last year.
Meanwhile, detection rates for robberies are also up by more than 9% to 84.6%.
Overall detection rates for violent crimes have increased slightly, from 72% to 74%.
House-breakings have reduced by 34.2% on average across the region this year compared to the same period last year.
In Aberdeen these incidents have reduced by 39.2%, while detection rates have increased from 22.1% to 28.1% across the region.
Car thefts and thefts from vehicles are also down.
Antisocial behaviour appeared to increase by 41% but police have said this is due to changes in the way the force records crimes.
The figures, which form part of a national report, will be discussed by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) on Tuesday.
Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson, the north-east’s divisional commander, said: “These figures are evidence of the incredibly positive work ongoing in the north-east to tackle the crimes that have caused most concern to our communities.
“This area is generally an extremely safe area to live and work so when crime does happen we take action quickly and do everything in our power to prevent it from recurring.”