Number of convictions in Scotland falls by six per cent

THE number of people convicted in Scotland fell by six per cent to 108,336 last year, but the average length of sentence has risen to over nine months - the longest in 10 years.

A total of 87 per cent of people who were the subject of court action in Scotland in 2011/12 were convicted, down from 89 per cent the previous year.

Pressure continues to be put on Scotland’s over-crowded prisons.

There were 15,880 people sent to jail in 2011/12, four per cent up on the previous year.

However, the number of convictions resulting in a community sentence rose even sharper to 16,916, eight per cent higher than in 2010/11.

The figures were released as part of the Scottish Government’s report, Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2011/12.