People are less likely to become victims of crime as new statistics published today show a 30 per cent fall in violent crime in the last two years.
And on the day the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill is published, statistics show 63% of victims of violent crime believe offenders were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the attack.
SNP MSP Colin Keir has welcomed the 2010-11 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey and the growing evidence people now feel safer in their communities.
The MSP for Edinburgh Western and member of the Justice Committee said:
“It is extremely encouraging to see Scotland’s communities are becoming safer with violent crime down by 17 per cent in the last year and people feeling safer in their own homes.
“The risk of being a victim of crime was lower in 2010-11 than the previous year and in 2008-09.
“Crime is at its lowest rate for 35 years, more people are reporting crimes to the police, fewer offenders are being found with weapons and 72% of people agree community sentencing is an effective way of dealing with less serious crime. This is real evidence that the SNP’s approach to justice is meeting people’s concerns.”
Commenting on figures which show alcohol is a major factor in violent crime, Mr Keir added:
“This survey shows a direct link between alcohol and violent crime. Over 60% of victims of violent crime believe offenders were under the influence of alcohol and nearly half of all violent crime takes place at weekends and overnight when people will have been drinking, particularly those drinking at home.
“Alcohol abuse must be tackled, which is why we’re committed to the re-introduction of an Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill.
“The SNP has put more police on the streets, invested in the Cashback for Communities scheme and we have just expanded the No Knives, Better Lives project to six new areas of Scotland to reduce knife carrying.
“There will always be a fear of crime and there is always more to do, however this survey shows the SNP’s commitment to moving Scotland forward by creating stronger and safer communities for people to live in is beginning to show results.”
