Police fail to meet crime targets

Audit Scotland report shows police failing to stem tide of violent crime

News, 10 December 2004

Scotland’s police forces are failing to meet targets to reduce violent crime according to a report from Audit Scotland.

It showed that during 2003/2004 14,310 serious violent crimes were recorded - 12% higher than the target set by the Scottish Executive.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said that she was disappointed that violence continued to be such a problem in many communities of Scotland. She confirmed that the Executive would be announcing a new violence strategy early next year to address this problem targeted at violence 'hot spots'.

Cathy Jamieson said: "The clear up rate for recorded crime in Scotland is now at an all-time high. This shows that our investment in frontline policing is helping to reduce crime. I also welcome the on-going efforts being made by forces to reduce housebreakings, and their work with local people, the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and others to increase drug seizures and help free communities from the grip of drug dealers.

"However, much remains to be done to deliver the safer communities we all want. Already this year we have seen decreases in recorded crimes of non-sexual violence and in the number of homicides in Scotland in 2003. But as I warned last month, and as highlighted by this report, I am concerned that violent crime is still too high and that it continues to blight too many lives in too many communities.”