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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Knife killing at record high rate | Knife killing at record high rate |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The percentage of knife killings are at an all-time high, according to the latest Scottish homicide figures. | The percentage of knife killings are at an all-time high, according to the latest Scottish homicide figures. |
| Knives were used in 58% of killings in 2008-09, although the total number of homicides fell for the second successive year. | Knives were used in 58% of killings in 2008-09, although the total number of homicides fell for the second successive year. |
| Scotland's chief statistician said 99 people were killed in 2008-09, compared to 115 in 2007-08. | Scotland's chief statistician said 99 people were killed in 2008-09, compared to 115 in 2007-08. |
| More than 80% of victims were killed by someone they knew and 41% of people who were accused were drunk or on drugs. | More than 80% of victims were killed by someone they knew and 41% of people who were accused were drunk or on drugs. |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said too many lives continued to be lost because of Scotland's relationship with alcohol. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said too many lives continued to be lost because of Scotland's relationship with alcohol. |
| He said: "While fewer people were killed last year than in previous years, that is of no consolation to the families of the victims. | He said: "While fewer people were killed last year than in previous years, that is of no consolation to the families of the victims. |
| PEOPLE KILLED WITH SHARP INSTRUMENT 2005-06: 34 (36%)2006-07: 54 (45%)2007-08: 55 (48%)2008-09: 57 (58%) | |
| "These figures provide further depressing evidence of the toll that Scotland's drinking culture is taking on this country. | "These figures provide further depressing evidence of the toll that Scotland's drinking culture is taking on this country. |
| "Indeed given that the perpetrator is not always apprehended immediately, the real figure for the number of killers who were drunk when they committed the crime is likely to be higher." | "Indeed given that the perpetrator is not always apprehended immediately, the real figure for the number of killers who were drunk when they committed the crime is likely to be higher." |
| The homicide rate for males, 28 victims per million population, was almost three times the rate for females, which was 10 victims per million population. | The homicide rate for males, 28 victims per million population, was almost three times the rate for females, which was 10 victims per million population. |
| The highest number of killings were committed in Glasgow but they have been falling steadily from a peak of 39 five years ago to 24 last year. | The highest number of killings were committed in Glasgow but they have been falling steadily from a peak of 39 five years ago to 24 last year. |
| In Edinburgh, there were four homicides last year, compared to 11 five years ago. | In Edinburgh, there were four homicides last year, compared to 11 five years ago. |
| Mr MacAskill said if Scotland's drinking culture could be "significantly" reduced the country would see a corresponding drop in the number of people who got caught up in violent crime. | Mr MacAskill said if Scotland's drinking culture could be "significantly" reduced the country would see a corresponding drop in the number of people who got caught up in violent crime. |
| 'Deeply worrying' | |
| "Hand in hand with action on alcohol we are taking tough action on those who carry and use knives," Mr MacAskill added. | "Hand in hand with action on alcohol we are taking tough action on those who carry and use knives," Mr MacAskill added. |
| Scottish Labour and the Scottish Conservatives called on ministers to back the introduction of a mandatory minimum sentence for knife carriers. | |
| Labour's justice spokesman Richard Baker said: "It is deeply worrying that for the third year in a row we have seen an increase in the number of people being killed with knives. | |
| "It is high time Kenny MacAskill backed Scottish Labour's plans to get tough on knife crime and supported the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for knife carriers." | "It is high time Kenny MacAskill backed Scottish Labour's plans to get tough on knife crime and supported the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for knife carriers." |
| 'Damning indictment' | |
| Tory spokesman John Lamont said his party wanted a two-year mandatory sentence for carrying a blade. | |
| "On a day when we also see that over 40% of homicides are carried out by people high on drink and drugs, it is a damning indictment of a complete failure to get a grip on justice issues since devolution," he added. | |
| Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Robert Brown said the priority should be to stop people carrying knives in the first place. | |
| "All the evidence is that this is best done by rigorous enforcement of the law and by working to break down gang cultures, particularly in the west of Scotland," he said. |