Police carried out dawn raids across Fife yesterday in a bid to net alleged drug dealers. In the biggest-ever operation by Fife Police, more than 130 cops targeted 11 addresses in co-ordinated raids.

Prostitutes in Glasgow have been telling STV how they fear for their lives after another killing. Susan Shivers was working as a prostitute when she was stabbed three weeks ago. The 27-year-old fell ill again on Friday and died on her way to hospital.

Racist crime has soared by 13% with more than 5,000 incidents recorded by police last year. New Scottish figures revealed that 5,124 racist incidents were recorded by police in 2005/06 This was an increase of 588 incidents from 2004/05, according to statistics published on Tuesday.

A whistle blowers’ hotline – launched by the Scottish Executive following the murder of Inverness five-year-old Danielle Reid – has already received 151 calls.

A leading north east charity has said it will stop providing care for adults with learning disabilities after a row over funding. Cornerstone said it had failed to reach agreement with Aberdeen City Council and would no longer offer care services for more than 60 people.

Politicians must push housing to the top of the political agenda if they are to truly meet the needs of people in Scotland, according to a charity. Shelter Scotland will tell a housing conference in Glasgow that politicians claim the issue is the most common problem raised by constituents.

Scotland’s first community court is to be set up in Glasgow, the justice minister has announced. The new court aims to deal with about 2,000 offences a year, including minor assaults, vandalism, some drug cases, housebreaking and breach of the peace.

Only one smoker and one business have been taken to court for flouting Scotland’s strict anti-smoking laws in the year since they were introduced, it emerged yesterday.

Scotland’s strong sense of national identity means its new migrants receive a far more welcoming reception than in England and Wales, according to a new UK-wide report from the Commission for Racial Equality.

Prisoners who have been convicted of serious assault, robbery and housebreaking will be given the opportunity to meet and apologise to their victims under new plans to curb reoffending.

{mosimage}Victims and relatives will be contacted to see if they are willing to have prison meetings with criminals who have committed a range of serious crimes.

Currently, restorative justice meetings are arranged in the community for offenders aged between eight and 16 who have committed minor offences such as breaking windows.

Offenders are given the opportunity to apologise and make amends by doing community work.

Restorative justice has been strongly supported by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson and Scotland’s chief police officers in relation to minor crimes and youth offending.

However, this is the first time it has been promoted by the executive in relation to serious and violent offences.

Protocols drawn up between the Scottish Executive, Scottish Prison Service and social workers promote restorative justice for prisoners aged 18 and under.