Police have revealed the number of casualties in road traffic collisions has fallen across Aberdeenshire.
Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson addressed councillors at yesterday’s policy and resources committee to unveil a quarterly report on crime in the region.
The figures, from April to June 2015, show that adults seriously injured in road traffic collisions fell by 24.5% – from 53 to 40 – and that serious assaults were also down 40%, from 25 to 15.
Last night, Mr Thomson said that while he was “encouraged” by the report, more work needed to be done to improve road safety.
“Despite the figures showing a drop in casualties from road traffic collisions, we have still seen five people killed on our roads in recent months,” he said.
“Road safety is a key local priority for Police Scotland and we will continue to carry out high visibility patrols throughout Aberdeenshire and in areas we have identified as priority routes.”
In total, crime fell by 10% across Aberdeenshire with housebreakings, car crime and common theft all decreasing.
There were rises, however, in common assaults.
“It is concerning there has been a slight rise in common assaults,” Mr Thomson said.
“However, local area commanders in Aberdeenshire have already taken steps within their areas to seek to reverse this trend and we have seen a significant drop in serious assaults.”
Reports of sexual offences also rose in the quarter.
He added: “We have seen an increase in the number of sexual offences being reported, which in part is attributable to proactive inquiries.
“It is encouraging to see increased public confidence to report such criminality in the knowledge that my staff will fully investigate all reports and provide support to victims.”
Police will present a fresh report for the next quarter later in the year.