The number of sexual crime reports in East Renfrewshire rocketed between April and June this year.

Figures released by Police Scotland showed that sex crimes were almost double the five-year average during that period.

But officers found it more difficult to catch offenders, as the detection halved.

Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty presented the findings to the council’s cabinet members last week.

He said: “There has been an increase in the reporting of sexual crimes which is partly due to the confidence of victims to come forward and report ongoing and historical incidents.

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“We continue to work with the National Crime Agency; other law enforcement agencies and industry to identify those who use digital technology to abuse or exploit our children and identify children who may be at risk of such harm.

“We have a dedicated team of officers within the division who use their skills and knowledge to investigate these incidents using every investigative tool available to bring offenders to justice.”

Between April and June the number of sexual crime reports was 26 compared to 12 during the same period on 2017. The five-year average is 14.

Detection rates dropped from 108% to 57%.

The crime report also showed that domestic abuse reports fell from 62 to 56 while detection rates also fell from 72% to 51%.

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Officers fared better with the amount of drug offences detected, with the success rate going up by 125%.

Anti social behaviour reports fell from 822 to 650 while housebreakings were down by a quarter and detection rates rose by 21%.

The number of serious assaults more than doubled from five to 13 but the number of detections also increased. Common assaults dropped by 27% but the percentage of detections fell from 67% to 63%.

Mr McInulty added: “In relation to domestic violence, we have remained focused on dealing quickly and effectively with incidences of domestic abuse and compared to the same period last year, the number of domestic abuse crimes has reduced which is a welcomed trend however, there has also been a slight reduction in detection rates.

“In relation to homes being broken into, there has been a reduction in this year’s figures”