News In Focus
28 September 2007
Violent crime on the increase
Violent crime in Scotland has increased by more than a third in the last two years, according to new research.
The Scottish Crime and Victimisation Survey (SCVS) measured personal and household crimes in the period between April 2005 and March 2006. The survey monitors the extent of victimisation in Scotland by asking respondents about their experiences of crime.
The main findings include:
- around 1 in 5 people (22%) had been the victim of at least one household or personal crime; there has been no statistically significant change in this figure in recent years
- longer term, crime against households appear to have fallen, specifically housebreaking and theft from motor vehicles.
- crime against the person has increased, mainly driven by the number of minor assaults recorded
- the total number of crimes estimated by the survey was higher than in 2003-04 mainly due to an increase in minor assaults.
The trends in household crime are similar to those identified in England and Wales - i.e. staying the same. However, in England and Wales the amount of violent crime (including assault) has remained constant in recent years.
The survey also found that violence (robbery and minor/serious assaults) had increased, mainly driven by a rise in minor assault. Where victims were able to say anything about the person or people who committed the crime against them, 45% said that the person/people were under the influence of alcohol. This proportion was higher for victims of personal crime and highest for incidents of assault (67%).
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "If we are serious about building safer, stronger communities for the long-term then we must address the social factors that contribute to crime - chiefly drink, drugs and deprivation.
"Many people raised concerns about alcohol and drug abuse. That's why we are setting out our plans to crack down hard on those who sell or supply to under age drinkers, and curb irresponsible promotions and discounts of alcohol."