MacAskill: Scotland is winning war on crime

Crime in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years, new figures have revealed.  There were 40,000 fewer crimes recorded across Scotland in 2009/10, down from 377,433 to 338,028.

However, politicians as well as senior and rank-and-file officers fear the war on crime will be hit by forthcoming budget cuts.

Violent crime, including murders, attempted murders and serious assaults, fell by 11% from 12,612 to 11,201, Scottish Government figures show.

By contrast, sex crimes, including rape, attempted rape and indecent assault, are on the rise, increasing from 6331 to 6458.

Knife crime fell but there was a rise in offences of drinking in public places as well as motoring offences such as not wearing a seatbelt and driving while using a mobile phone.

The Scottish Government also revealed that the total number of police officers in Scotland was continuing to increase and now stands at 17,424, up 145 on last year.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the figures were “good news for all law-abiding citizens” across Scotland, adding: “Tens of thousands fewer crimes mean thousands fewer victims. But there still remain far too many victims of crime and we remain committed to taking the action needed to drive crime down further, and for the long term.

“While we must all recognise the challenges that will be faced as a consequence of the UK Government spending cuts, spending on frontline policing will remain a top priority for this administration.”

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) called for officer numbers to be maintained in the face of potential cuts as well as requesting a meeting with Mr MacAskill to urgently discuss fears that there will be 2800 fewer officers serving in Scotland as budgets are slashed by more than £88 million.

SPF chairman Les Gray told The Herald that reducing police numbers would be a false economy. He said: “Crime levels would increase and this would have a knock-on effect on the National Health Service, the courts, social work and other agencies.

“Everyone would be affected as we expect home, car and personal insurance premiums would also soar as a result of any reduction in police numbers.

“Forces are already having to plan to make recruitment freezes just now to be ready for cuts in next year’s budgets and the numbers will start to fall widely almost immediately after that.”

Chief superintendent David O’Connor, of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said: “Anyone who thinks we can deliver more with less needs to think again.”

While policing levels and the overall reduction in crime was generally welcomed by Labour, the party said officer numbers were declining in Central Scotland, Northern Constabulary and Lothian and Borders.

Labour’s justice spokesman, Richard Baker, while welcoming the fall in crime, voiced his concerns about the ability to protect frontline services as budget pressures increase.

He said he was concerned about a “worrying rise” in sexual offences and also challenged future policing plans.

“I am deeply concerned that if the SNP fails to protect police numbers and frontline services, as is expected, this will undermine the ability of the police to keep our communities safe. If we are to make progress in the fight against crime, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill needs to listen to the warnings from organisations like the police federation, not continue to be complacent about his ‘here today – gone tomorrow’ police pledge.”

Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Robert Brown said: “The large fall in both recorded crimes of violence and in the carrying of knives demonstrates the success of the Violence Reduction Unit, work in breaking down gang barriers, effective community policing and other evidence-based work.”

Tory justice spokesman John Lamont MSP said: “If it had been up to Labour, there would be 1000 fewer police today. If it had been left to the SNP there would be 500 fewer. But because of Scottish Conservative pressure we have 1000 more police out on our streets and in our communities.

“The challenge is to find ways of maintaining that.”

Mr Lamont added: “Because of the nature of serious sexual crime such as rape, it is unlikely to fall from a higher police presence. Those who are the victims of such a heinous crime need to be encouraged to come forward by ensuring a robust prosecution system and sentencing which sends out a clear message.

“There is still much to do to ensure that every vile rapist is caught and jailed, and the Scottish Conservatives will back any measures which can reasonably help this vital goal.”

The SNP pledged to increase the number of police officers by 1000 when it came to power three years ago and today’s figures show that there are 1190 more officers across Scotland since then.

However, there was only a small rise of 15 across the country between April and June this year, including small falls in the Northern, Lothian and Borders and Central Scotland forces.