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| Further fall in the number of crimes recorded in Scotland | Further fall in the number of crimes recorded in Scotland |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Crime has fallen again in Scotland, according to official figures. | Crime has fallen again in Scotland, according to official figures. |
| In the year to the end of March 2015 there was a fall of 5% in the number of crimes recorded by Police Scotland. | In the year to the end of March 2015 there was a fall of 5% in the number of crimes recorded by Police Scotland. |
| The total of 256,350 recorded crimes is the lowest since 1974 but sexual crimes were up by 11%, to their highest level since 1971. | |
| More than half of the overall decrease was down to a sharp reduction in the number of thefts and vandalism reported to police. | More than half of the overall decrease was down to a sharp reduction in the number of thefts and vandalism reported to police. |
| The largest fall was recorded in Moray where there was a drop of 18%. | The largest fall was recorded in Moray where there was a drop of 18%. |
| Historic allegations | |
| In Aberdeenshire and Highland, the overall decrease was 17%. | In Aberdeenshire and Highland, the overall decrease was 17%. |
| The number of crimes reported in Shetland was about the same as in the previous 12 months - one of five council areas where the figures were static. | The number of crimes reported in Shetland was about the same as in the previous 12 months - one of five council areas where the figures were static. |
| Police said the increase in the number of sexual crimes recorded was partly due to increased confidence of victims to report offences, a change in the definition of some sexual crimes and a rising number of historic allegations. | Police said the increase in the number of sexual crimes recorded was partly due to increased confidence of victims to report offences, a change in the definition of some sexual crimes and a rising number of historic allegations. |
| Other figures: | |
| East Lothian was the only local authority that recorded an increase (6%) in attempted murders and serious assaults over the past 10 years. | |
| In the same 10-year period there has been a 50% decrease in homicide in Glasgow City. | |
| Crimes of handling an offensive weapon decreased by 67% since 2006-07 when these crimes were at the highest level since 1971. | |
| Serious consequences | |
| SNP MSP Roderick Campbell said: "I very much welcome this substantial fall in offensive weapon crimes. With 1,000 more police on our streets, Scotland's communities are safer than they have been for 41 years and crime has now fallen for eight years in a row. | |
| "The work of the Violence Reduction Unit and the No Knives, Better Lives campaign in particular have made a substantial contribution to this reduction in offensive weapons crimes. | |
| "Less young people are now convicted of carrying a knife - it is important that we continue to educate young people about the serious consequences of carrying knives to ensure this welcome trend continues." |