MacAskill hails big drop in offensive weapon crimes

CRIMES involving possession of an offensive weapon fell by nearly a fifth in the Capital in the last year, with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill hailing the drop as important factor behind a nationwide decrease.

The city recorded a 19 per cent reduction in offensive weapon cases between last April and March, dropping to 492 from 608 the previous year. Across Scotland, the decrease was ten per cent against the previous year.

Mr MacAskill said: “In Edinburgh, I am pleased to see that crimes involving handling an offensive weapon have fallen by 19 per cent in the last 12 months. This has contributed to a nationwide ten per cent reduction, where crimes have almost halved since 2006-7.

“I am pleased we are seeing positive results in Edinburgh and beyond, and will continue to spread that message and work to reduce knife crime even further. However, there is no room for complacency. Every knife incident is one too many.”