DRUG USE LINKED TO HOUSE-BREAKING INCREASE

HEROIN AND crack cocaine are driving a housebreaking spree in Dundee,
councillors were told yesterday.

The Tayside joint police board were told that the number of offences
reported for prosecution in relation to the supply of illegal drugs had
increased by 37% (50 crimes) in the first quarter of this year compared to
the same period of the previous year.

The level of availability of heroin and crack cocaine across Dundee is of
continuing concern, councillors learned in the report on crime and
detection trends.

The report added, "There is no doubt that this is a major factor in the
increase in housebreaking and other acquisitive crimes as abusers seek to
service their habit."

The report by Chief Constable John Vine highlighted that since his previous
report on crime trends, there had been a number of notable operations.

* A man was arrested in Perth in possession of 120 individual "score bags"
of heroin with a street value of UKP2400.

* In July, officers arrested a man in possession of 3000 diazepam tablets
destined for sale in the Kirriemuir area.

* Following a successful operation six men and a woman were arrested in
Dundee, and half a kilo of heroin with a street value of over UKP80,000 was
recovered. It had the potential to produce up to 8000 deals.

* Following a raid on premises in a rural area in north Angus, a man was
arrested and 10 kg of cannabis resin with a value of UKP50,000 and 1.75 kg
of amphetamine valued at UKP44,000 were recovered.

* A man was arrested in the Hilltown area of Dundee resulting in the
recovery of 14 grammes of cocaine valued at UKP850 and 10 kg of cannabis
resin valued at UKP50,000.

The report explained the continued rise in house-breaking in Dundee was a
key area of concern.

There was a 28% rise in domestic housebreaking (100 crimes) in the city.
"The link between this and the need to fund a dependency on heroin and
crack cocaine is evident."

On a positive note, the solved rate in Dundee has risen from 16% to 25% (an
extra 49 crimes) reflecting the priority being given to the issue.

The force has continued its intelligence-led campaign against dealers in
Class A drugs-heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and designer drugs.

Housebreaking levels in Angus were unchanged but more cases were solved-17%
up to 35% (10 more cases).

In Perth and Kinross there was a small drop in the number of reported
house-breakings but the solved rate went up by 11%.

Reported crime in Tayside in the first three months went up by more than
13% but there was a consecutive monthly reduction in the period concerned
this year.

Much of the overall increase is to be expected, the report said, following
a more robust approach to crime recording, mainly for vandalism and minor
crime categories.

"Setting aside the impact of the changes, there remains significant concern
at the increase in acquisitive crime, specifically domestic housebreaking
in central division (Dundee) where there is an increase of 28% (100 crimes)
over the same period last year."

Against the rising trend, the force's solved crime rate has been sustained
at 38% for the period, reflecting more than 380 extra crimes solved
compared to the same period last year.

There was a 25% increase in serious violent crimes and the solved rate rose
2% to 84%, but the picture has been clouded following changes by the
Scottish Executive to the specific crimes in this category.

Vehicle crimes went up by 4.5% but the solved rate increased from 17% to 20%.

There was a 35% reduction in road casualties dying or being seriously
injured, a decrease of 118 to 76 people killed or badly hurt on Tayside's roads.