SEX crimes have fallen by nearly 25% in Glasgow, according to the latest crime figures.

There were 341 crimes of rape, indecency and sex assault logged between April and June in the city this year, compared to 441 in the same three month period last year, a 23% drop.

Violence in the city also fell slightly, by 10 offences, and burglaries and theft and knife and drug crime.

House breakings dropped by 226 (3%) and knife and drugs by 70 (2%)

The figures are contained in a report presented to the Police Scotland public board meeting in Clydebank yesterday and show the only category to rise in Glasgow during the three months was fire-raising and mischief, which includes vandalism.

Officials from the Scottish Police Authority, which published the figures, described the Glasgow sex crime figures as "noteworthy".

The report said: "The decrease in Glasgow was primarily due to a decrease in rape and sexual assault and prostitution-related crimes."

The figures come after a number of investigations into alleged sex attacks in Glasgow in recent months, including Toryglen on May 12, Kelvingrove Park on May 30, Poundland in Sauchiehall Street on the same day, and two attacks in Govanhill, one on February 23 and a second in on May 19. A number of arrests have been made.

A man was arrested after a 37-year-old woman allegedly raped in Maryville Gardens, Giffnock, on June 1. A 22-year-old man was arrested after a 24-year-old woman was allegedly raped in Brunswick Street, Merchant City, on June 8. And an alleged rape near Aurora Avenue in Clydebank on June 21 led to the arrest of a 22-year-old man.

Detective Superintendent Peter McPike said the incidents were "not connected". He said there had been an "unusual spike" but reported sexual crime had reduced.

victoria.brenan@eveningtimes.co.uk