The rise is attributed to calls relating to COVID-19 regulations with fresh figures showing a rise in reports.

Police Scotland has issued its data from the first quarter of 2020/21 which has also revealed that cases of serious assaults are down.

The statistics between April and June outlined that serious assaults fell from 63 to 47 on the previous year, a 25 per cent reduction.

The national picture is similar and Police Scotland believe that the fall in violent offences, including serious assault, is a result of the coronavirus lockdown when licensed premises were closed.

Analysis of violence figures indicates alcohol plays a significant contributing factor.

Through Operation Path, continued enforcement activity and the use of stop and search, maintain positive downward trends in violence now lockdown restrictions have been eased.

How many weapons have been removed from Fife streets?

Operation Path, the Kingdom's ongoing anti-violence initiative, has also played a "crucial role" in removing dangerous weapons from the streets.

Figures show that officers recorded an additional six incidents of carrying an offensive weapon, while maintaining the previous year’s number of 18 recorded incidents of handling a bladed weapon.

Meanwhile, incidents where a bladed weapon was used in another crime also dropped to 16, compared with 24 the previous year. There were also six fewer reports of an offensive weapon being used in another crime.

Fraud has also risen nationally and Fife has not been immune to this increase with a total of 266 reports being recorded, compared with 167 during the same period last year.

A large number of these offences are lined to internet-based offending, but there has also been an increase in the number of detections.

Local policing teams throughout the Kingdom continue to tackle drug offences through targeted activity undertaken as part of Operation Prospect and as a result of proactive enforcement, 59 supply of drug offences were recorded in the first quarter, compared to 48 in last year’s first quarter.

In addition, 14 further crimes of possession of drugs were also recorded, rising from 269, to 283.

Operation Prospect gathers community intelligence to conduct targeted activity against drug dealers. Anyone who wants to report ongoing drug crime in their community is asked to come forward.

"There will be no complacency in our efforts to reduce crime further within Fife." - Divisional Commander

Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, Divisional Commander for Fife, said: “I want to pay tribute to the police officers and staff who, during these last few months, have worked tirelessly to maintain a business as usual approach to dealing with criminality all whilst supporting our communities through the ongoing public health crisis, maintaining Fife as a safe place to live, work and visit.

“The Q1 performance stats emphasise so much positive work is ongoing and this will continue.

“DCC Fiona Taylor has already stated that the recording period for the first quarter has come during an unprecedented time, not only for Police Scotland, but the world, and as such we shouldn’t be tempted to jump to conclusions about crime trends.

“We will be pragmatic in our response to the current rise in certain offences.

“However, there will be no complacency in our efforts to reduce crime further within Fife. Whether it is local officers providing high-visibility presence in our communities, or the specialist support of national units, Police Scotland is committed to building on the increased public confidence in policing that has been achieved this year.”