Scot Gov Report

Matheson: work goes on to keep driving down violent crime.

The number of homicides in Scotland fell to their lowest on record last year – and around half their level from a decade ago, according to official figures published today.

A total of 57 homicide cases were recorded by police in Scotland in 2015-16 – representing an 8% fall on the previous year and 52% down on the 119 cases recorded in 2006-07.

The figure of 57 – contained in a new bulletin published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician today – is the lowest number for a single twelve-month period since 1976, the first year for which comparable data are available.

Responding to the figures, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Mr Matheson said:

“While it is encouraging to see continued falls in homicide cases alongside the long-term decline in violent crime, the sustained efforts that have helped achieve this – through education and enforcement – must continue, because each of the lives lost is one life too many.

“There is a clear role across a range of public services, in addition to the critical work of our police, to continue to support communities that may remain at risk from violent crime and to challenge irresponsible attitudes both to alcohol misuse and to so-called ‘casual’ violence.

“We will continue to work with partners and invest in a range of projects to help steer our young people away from the risks of a life of violence and crime, while also ensuring our law enforcement agencies and the courts have the powers and resources needed to deal with those who do harm to others.”

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Homicides-fall-to-record-low-2cec.aspx