This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Accounts Commission report
19/12/2003
Statistics published by the Accounts
Commission today show that police forces are
achieving success in meeting Scotland-wide targets
for reducing housebreakings, drug seizures, road
injuries and accidental house fires.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson welcomed
continued improvement in the crime clear up rate
but, with serious violent crime rising last year,
she also called for firm action to tackle the key
factors behind much of that crime - the misuse of
knives and alcohol.
Ms Jamieson said:
"I welcome the fact that clear up rates for most
crimes continue to rise and that both the police and
fire brigades are performing well against a number of
high priority indicators.
"Investment, for example in delivering record
numbers of police, is an important factor in this good
performance. These are vital public services and the
public rightly expects excellence from them.
"However, I am well aware that violent crime
remains a stubborn and unacceptable part of Scottish
life and today's report confirms that. This is an
issue that the Executive and the police take very
seriously. We are committed to working with the police
to prevent and punish violent behaviour and the impact
it has on our communities.
"I am encouraged by the achievements of Tayside
Police who saw a reduction of 22 per cent in serious
violent crime - which they attribute to a proactive
policing strategy. I will be working with ACPOS to see
what lessons can be learnt from the success of this
strategy and see whether that record can be reflected
in other parts of the country.
"Last month saw the publication of homicide
figures - the most serious violent crimes imaginable.
Many of these horrific crimes were strongly linked to
problems associated with the misuse of alcohol and the
carrying of knives. Beating this 'booze and blade'
culture is a priority but beating it is not just down
to the police. We also need to tackle issues in our
society and culture.
"I believe the reforms toScotland's drinking laws that are currently being considered
will help reduce this potentially fatal connection between
over-indulging in alcohol and violent crime.
"Changing the licensing laws by itself will not
break the link between drinking and crime. But what
changes to the law can do is encourage greater
responsibility - greater personal responsibility and
greater responsibility for license holders.
"Where the police do have a significant role is
in tackling knife crime. In May this year, Strathclyde
Police launched Operation Magnet, a major crackdown on
knife and violent crime.
"Operation Magnet ended last month and as a
result of its high visibility patrols on foot and car,
the rigorous enforcement of the street drinking by-law,
and the use of undercover officers gathering
intelligence a total of 204 weapons were seized by
police officers - many of them potentially lethal
knives. This operation is exactly the type of
initiative I would like to see more of.
"The Partnership Agreement includes a commitment
to review the law and enforcement of knife crimes. We
are already consulting ACPOS and the Crown Office on
their views about how the existing legislation operates
and how effective they consider the current legislative
framework to be. If there are practical problems with
enforcement we will take the necessary steps to address
them."