SERIOUS assaults in Glasgow city centre have fallen by more than 40% as police get tough on violent crime.

Figures obtained by the Evening Times show the number of one of the most worrying offences has dramatically fallen in the past three months.

There were just 16 serious assaults in the police beat in the three months from April to the end of June, against 27 in the same period last year.

And only two of those serious assaults involved a weapon.

Officers recorded 49 "group one" crimes – such as serious assault and robbery – in the three months, against 59 last year.

Chief Inspector Alan Porte, area commander for Glasgow city centre, attributes the recent success to the "intelligence-led policing".

He said: "It is about having police officers in the right place at the right time.

"It's all about prevention and minimising the risk to people who come in to Glasgow city centre.

"We specifically target any problematic areas – the places where officers are needed."

Fewer people are now bringing blades into the city centre, with knife carrying down 21% – to 18 incidents from 23 the previous year.

Possession of an "offensive weapon" has also fallen by more than 28%.

Mr Porte believes the 12,000 stop-and-searches on suspected criminals in the centre of the city over the last three months, have played a key part in keeping serious crime down.

He said: "Stop-and-searches are having a positive impact on crime levels, and I think these new figures show that.

"They are having a really positive impact on stopping weapons coming into the city centre.

"Not only this, the stop-and-searches are having a direct impact on serious crimes, including assaults.

"They also send an important message to any potential criminals: if you bring a weapon into the city centre, you will be arrested."

More than 2155 of the searches carried out by officers from April to the end of June had a "positive result" with arrests being made, or weapons, alcohol and drugs confiscated.

Throughout the three-month period, there were no murders or attempted murders. And during the same period, robberies also fell 4%.

Logically, if officers are actively looking for more knives through stop-and-searches, they should get more reports of crime and statistics should go up.

However, the effect has been the opposite, and across the city centre, figures for serious and violent crimes are down.

"By carrying out stop-and-searches, and focusing on serious, violent crime, we are really focusing on keeping people safe," Mr Porte said.

"And ultimately, our aim is to prevent crimes and keep people safe.

"By removing weapons from the situation, we can help to stop serious crimes, including serious assaults and robberies, from happening later on in the night."

High visibility police patrols in the city centre – especially at night and the weekend – are also sending a message to potential criminals, while providing reassurance for revellers.

Officers will also continue to work with partner agencies, including Glasgow Community and Safety Services, NiteZone, street pastors and the SOS bus.

Police chiefs are happy with the latest figures, but have vowed they will be far from complacent.

Mr Porte added: "We will continue to work to remove weapons from situations and make Glasgow city centre as safe as possible."

rebecca.gray@eveningtimes.co.uk