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| Recorded crime at 39-year-low in Scotland | Recorded crime at 39-year-low in Scotland |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| There has been a further fall in the number of crimes in Scotland, according to the latest figures. | There has been a further fall in the number of crimes in Scotland, according to the latest figures. |
| The Scottish government statistics show, in the year to the end of March, there was a 13% drop in recorded crime. | |
| Non-sexual violent crimes fell by 21%. But there was a 5% rise in the number of sex offences - although changes in the way they are categorised may have affected the figures. | |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said it was evidence of a "safer" Scotland. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said it was evidence of a "safer" Scotland. |
| He added: "It is particularly encouraging to see violent crime dropping by 21% last year and crimes of handling an offensive weapon down by 60% since 2006-07. | He added: "It is particularly encouraging to see violent crime dropping by 21% last year and crimes of handling an offensive weapon down by 60% since 2006-07. |
| "However, make no mistake, there will be no let-up in our efforts backed by record numbers of police officers - over 1,000 extra since 2007 - who are keeping communities safe and clearing up crimes more efficiently than ever before." | "However, make no mistake, there will be no let-up in our efforts backed by record numbers of police officers - over 1,000 extra since 2007 - who are keeping communities safe and clearing up crimes more efficiently than ever before." |
| In 2012-23, a total of 273,053 crimes were recorded by police across Scotland, a drop of more than 41,000 (13%) compared with 2011-12. | |
| Incidents of violent crime, including murder, culpable homicide, attempted murder and serious assault totalled 7,530 - a 21% drop on last year's figure. | |
| Crimes of handling an offensive weapon were at a 27-year-low. | |
| However, the number of sexual offences recorded by officers rose 5% to 7,693. | |
| Officials said the new Sexual Offences Act meant sex crimes were now categorised in a different way so comparisons over time should be "treated with caution". | |
| The figures also show a slight rise in the number of offences, which include driving and minor alcohol offences, of less than 1%. | |
| The clear up rate for crimes across Scotland last year was 51% - its highest level since 1976. | |
| Mr MacAskill said: "We are continuing to work tirelessly to reduce knife crime and violence in Scotland, and believe education and prevention are key to tackling the root causes of violence. | |
| "While today's overall statistics are encouraging, it is concerning to see that the number of sexual offences recorded by police have increased by 5%. | |
| "This may be down to increased reporting but the public should be assured that the Scottish government, police and prosecutors take the investigation and prosecution of these traumatic crimes extremely seriously and are taking action to address them." |