Scotland ‘a safer place’ as youth crime falls

Youth crime has fallen by almost a fifth, according to official figures.

The annual Scottish Policing Performance Framework report also revealed the number of complaints against police had fallen by 388 to 4,310 – a drop of 8 per cent on the previous year.

The SNP hailed the statistics as evidence that “Scotland is becoming a safer country”.

However, Labour accused the SNP of being “complacent”, as the report showed violent and sexual crime had increased.

John Finnie, an SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands and a former police officer, said: “These figures show Scotland is becoming a safer country and it is particularly encouraging to see the number of crimes involving young people has fallen.

“Having a visible police presence on our streets is helping to combat youth offending, which is reflected in these statistics and the fact crime is now at a 35-year low.”

But Labour deputy justice spokesman James Kelly said Mr Finnie would have been “guilty of perjury” had he made his comments in court.

He went on: “The SNP fails to recognise there has been a 366 per cent increase in murders in South Lanarkshire.

“There are also communities in Scotland where people live in real fear and are afraid to walk the streets.

“The SNP attitude comes across as complacent and self-congratulatory, while communities are still blighted by serious crime. People need to see practical action.”