Bail orders for drug offences doubled since 2000

Executive and SNP clash over underlying causes

News, 19 December 2006

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People in Scotland charged with drug-related offences were bailed 3,532 times in 2005-06, more than double the 1,732 orders granted in 1999-2000, the first year of devolution.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said the increase came against a backdrop of more drug-related crime being solved.

In answer to a parliamentary question from Mid-Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford, in which she gave the figures, she said: "It should be noted that the number of crimes cleared up by the police annually which fall into this category has increased from 30,000 to 43,000 over the period from 1999-00 to 2005-06. The figures for the number of bail orders granted in respect of these offences should be read in that context."

However, Mr Crawford said the statistics highlighted how the executive's policy on drugs was failing to address the underlying causes.

The minister also revealed there had been a marked rise in bail orders over the same period for criminal damage, such as fireraising and vandalism, from 1,524 to 3,599, and a smaller rise in bail for housebreaking, from 1,654 to 1,910. In relation to vehicle theft the number of orders fell from 1,177 to 975.

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