This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Audit Scotland report on police forces
10/12/2004
An Audit Scotland report which shows police forces continuing to clear up more crimes and making further progress in tackling housebreakings, drugs, and road injuries was welcomed today by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson.
However, the Minister expressed her disappointment that despite official evidence of reductions in both violent crime and homicides in 2003, violence continued to be a problem in many communities and the figures for such crimes were still high.
Ms Jamieson said she shared Audit Scotland's concerns about the overall incidence of violence in Scotland and confirmed the Executive would be announcing a new violence strategy early next year to address this problem - targeted at violence 'hotspots'.
She added:
"The clear-up rate for recorded crime in Scotland is now at an all-time high. This shows that our investment in frontline policing is helping to reduce crime.
"I also welcome the on-going efforts being made by forces to reduce housebreakings, and their work with local people, the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and others to increase drug seizures and help free communities from the grip of drug dealers.
"However, much remains to be done to deliver the safer communities we all want. Already this year we have seen decreases in recorded crimes of non-sexual violence and in the number of homicides in Scotland in 2003.
"But as I warned last month, and as highlighted by this report, I am concerned that violent crime is still too high and that it continues to blight too many lives in too many communities.
"Strong, visible frontline policing and the threat of doing serious time for serious crimes of violence are important elements in tackling this problem. But they cannot achieve improvements alone.
"That's why earlier this week I published our Criminal Justice Plan - a plan to ensure that all parts of the justice system work together to reduce the impact of crime and offending on our communities.
"As part of that co-ordinated approach, and in addition to stepping up action to address Scotland's drug problem and crackdown on the excessive alcohol consumption that fuels disorder across the country every weekend, we have pledged to come forward in the New Year with a wide-reaching strategy to tackle the culture of violence in this country.
"This will be targeted at areas of the country where violence rears its ugly head most often, and will include the action plan to address the problem of knife crime outlined by the First Minister last month.
"Together with our 17 per cent increase in police funding over the coming three years and the action set out in the Criminal Justice Plan to tackle re-offending, this strategy will help us work with the police to ensure the law abiding majority experience reduced crime and a reduced fear of crime, helping us all to live and work in a nation of opportunity, not a state of fear."
The Scottish recorded crime statistics for 2003, published in June, showed that recorded crime in Scotland decreased by five per cent ast year - the lowest level for nearly a quarter of a century - and that the crime clear up rate rose to 47 per cent - an all-time high.
The statistics also showed that the number of violent crimes (non-sexual crimes of violence) recorded by the police decreased by seven per cent in the past year, down from 16,461 in 2002 to 15,230.
The number of sexual crimes (indecency) increased marginally from 6,552 in 2002 to 6,557 in 2003 but numbers were still below the levels observed in 1997 and 1998.
Within this group recorded cases of rape and attempted rape increased by eight per cent from 913 to 988, the highest number ever recorded, partially reflecting pro-active efforts by police to encourage the reporting of such crimes.
The Homicide in Scotland statistics for 2003 were published on November 24 and showed there were 108 victims of homicides recorded by the police - 20 fewer victims than the previous year and the lowest annual total since 2000.