This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New figures on homicides and offences involving firearms
21/11/2006
'Homicide in Scotland, 2005/06' reports that Scottish police recorded 93 victims of homicide in 2005/06, 44 fewer than in 2004/05 and the lowest annual total since 1990/91. The figures also show a fall in the use of sharp instruments as a method of killing, from 72 in 2004/05 to 34 in 2005/06, a drop of 53 per cent.
The second publication, 'Recorded Crimes and Offences involving firearms, Scotland, 2005/06', shows that the total number of offences in which a firearm was alleged to have been used was 1,068, down six per cent from 1,136 in 2004/05. The number of offences in which a firearm was fired and killed or caused injury to a person was 197, a drop of nearly 40 per cent from 324 in 2004-05.
Other main findings include:
- The number of homicide victims per million population was 18 in 2005/06 compared to 27 in 2004/05
- Eighty six per cent of homicide victims in 2005/06 were male. Male victims aged 31 to 50 represented the highest rate with 59 homicides per million population
- Three quarters of homicide victims in 2005/06 knew the main accused; 18 per cent were presumed to have been killed by a partner; 11 per cent by a relative; and 49 per cent by an acquaintance
- Sixty nine per cent of the 139 accused of homicide in 2005/06 were reported to have been drunk or on drugs at the time
- The use of firearms in criminal activity constituted only a small proportion of all offences recorded by the police in 2005-06; eight per cent of recorded homicides (eight offences), five per cent of recorded attempted murders (35 offences), and two per cent of recorded robberies (74 offences). Less than 0.5 per cent of other offences involved the alleged use of a firearm
- In 2005/06, 43 per cent of all offences in which a firearm was alleged to have been used were cleared up, compared with 38 per cent in 2004/05
The latest statistics on crimes and offences involving a firearm differ from those previous published - minor offences, mainly relating to possession, handling and distribution of weapons and ammunition under the Firearms Act 1968 are no longer included in the main tables. This is because it has become apparent that these offences have not been consistently reported in previous years.
In previous years, if a weapon was not seen or was seen but could not be identified, it was recorded as such and no assumption was made about what type of weapon it was.
For 2005-06 returns, all police forces agreed to identify weapons where possible, based on evidence such as type of damage caused, even if the weapons were not recovered. This has resulted in a considerable increase in the alleged use of identified weapons, particularly air weapons, and a decrease in the alleged use of unidentified firearms.
These are Scottish Executive National Statistics publications. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
The publications may also be accessed via the following links:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00537
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00544