This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Figures show falling crime
15/06/2004
Recorded crime fell to its lowest level in almost a
quarter of a century last year, but Justice Minister Cathy
Jamieson today signalled that further action was needed to
tackle the scourge of antisocial behaviour.
Visiting the Community Safety Unit in Drylaw, North
Edinburgh, the Minister announced a £1m investment in
Community Safety Partnerships to give 12 to 16 year-olds
better access to sport and leisure activities during the
summer holidays - when long, unsupervised days can lead a
minority to become involved in petty crime and antisocial
behaviour.
Ms Jamieson said:
"Our investment in record frontline policing is helping
to reduce crime. I commend the police for their efforts -
in particular, their work to tackle violent crime which
decreased by seven per cent in the past year.
"We are making strides in helping people to feel
safer in their homes and safer in their communities. But
there is more to do. Serious crime is down but as today's
statistics show, communities are clearly still plagued by
vandalism and other persistent forms of antisocial
behaviour.
"To help tackle this, I am today announcing a further
£1m for Community Safety Partnerships to give young Scots
access to a wide range of constructive summer holiday
activities aimed at diverting them from petty crime and
antisocial behaviour.
"Last year, tens of thousands of young people benefited
from this funding, for example through free swimming pool
entry and organised sports and music workshops. I want to
give more youngsters the opportunity to benefit this year -
not as as a reward for offending behaviour, but by
promoting positive, healthy pursuits and by making these
available when they are most needed.
"Today's statistics demonstrate that the Executive is
right to make antisocial behaviour a priority. On Thursday
we will be debating key proposals that we believe will give
the authorities the extra powers they need to tackle the
hard-core of people who heap misery on their neighbours.
This crucial legislation is supported by our White Paper on
liquor licensing which sets out our proposals to reform
licensing legislation around principles that will help
prevent crime, disorder and public nuisance.
"This Executive is on the side of Scotland's law abiding
majority. We are working with the police, courts and others
to ensure they get the protection they need from the
law-breaking few. Swifter, smarter justice for offenders.
Progress in addressing crime and the fear of crime. The
funding announced today complements the work already
underway to achieve the safer, stronger Scotland we all
want."
These statistics will assist police authorities and
forces in planning and delivering an even more effective
service. They provide information on overall crime trends,
and in particular, they will assist in the monitoring of
progress against national police targets.
The £1m announced today will be available to all 32
Community Safety Partnerships in Scotland, each of which
will decide what is required for their local area. We are
currently considering details of their applications and
will announce the funding to be made available to
individual partnerships within the next few weeks.
In April this year, the police introduced a new Scottish
Crime Recording Standard (SCRS). This will affect the
recorded crime figures for 2004/05. It is expected that the
number of minor crimes such as vandalism and minor thefts
recorded by the police will increase next year, although it
is not anticipated that it will have much impact on figures
for the more serious crimes such as serious assault, sexual
assault, robbery or housebreaking.
Earlier this week, the Scottish Executive launched a new
improved Scottish Crime and Victimisation Survey. It will
to monitor underlying crime trends in crime between 2003/04
and 2004/05, when recorded crime figures will be affected
by the introduction of the new recording standard.