Police have warned that alcohol contributed to a 20% rise in serious violent crime across the north-east last year.
Senior police officers will be quizzed by Aberdeenshire councillors this week about their latest performance report.
It includes a rise in “group one” offences – which covers murder, attempted murder, culpable homicide, cruelty, robbery and serious assault.
The figures, which cover April to September last year, show incidents of violent crime rose to 128 from 106 in the same period in 2015.
That is 50% higher than the five year average of 86.
Senior officers do not routinely comment on reporting figures ahead of their appearance at Aberdeenshire’s policy committee.
However report author sergeant John McAdoo states: “Serious violent crime has increased across some areas of Aberdeenshire.
“In terms of serious assaults there has been an increase of 10 crimes recorded when compared with last year.
“It should also be noted that due to a change in the definition of serious assault in 2015, more crimes now have the potential to fall into this category.”
There was also an increase in the number of recorded robberies, again by 10 crimes, although Sgt McAdoo highlights that this was from a “small number” in previous years.
He added: “Alcohol features significantly in many of these crime types and this is an area where we continue to work with partners in an effort to change
behaviours.”
Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson will go before the policy and resources committee on Thursday morning to brief councillors on the findings and answer questions.
Although the latest report contains figures up to September last year it is understood the number of group one crimes since then has fallen.
Elsewhere in the operational report, figures show that acquisitive crime – including house breakings, common theft and car thefts – is all down against the five year average.
