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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Drop in overall figures for crime | Drop in overall figures for crime |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Crime in Scotland fell by 5% in the year to last April, Scottish Executive statistics have shown. | Crime in Scotland fell by 5% in the year to last April, Scottish Executive statistics have shown. |
| There were 417,783 recorded incidents, with the clear-up rate - the number of crimes solved - remaining the same as in the previous year. | There were 417,783 recorded incidents, with the clear-up rate - the number of crimes solved - remaining the same as in the previous year. |
| Violent crimes were down, but the number of rapes and attempted rapes reached record levels. | Violent crimes were down, but the number of rapes and attempted rapes reached record levels. |
| Ministers said this was partly because police had been encouraging the reporting of sexual offences. | Ministers said this was partly because police had been encouraging the reporting of sexual offences. |
| Crime levels have fallen consistently over the past 15 years. | Crime levels have fallen consistently over the past 15 years. |
| Sex crimes | Sex crimes |
| As well as the 5% fall in the overall crime rate in 2005-06, there was also a 7% drop in the number of violent crimes, down to 13,726. | As well as the 5% fall in the overall crime rate in 2005-06, there was also a 7% drop in the number of violent crimes, down to 13,726. |
| There was a 10% drop in the total number of sexual crimes, which went from 7,324 in 2004/05 to 6,588 in 2005/06 - the lowest total for four years. | There was a 10% drop in the total number of sexual crimes, which went from 7,324 in 2004/05 to 6,588 in 2005/06 - the lowest total for four years. |
| But within this group the number of recorded cases of rape and attempted rape increased by 5% to 1,161 - the highest total ever. | But within this group the number of recorded cases of rape and attempted rape increased by 5% to 1,161 - the highest total ever. |
| The number of drugs crimes was also on the increase, rising by 6% to 44,247 in 2005/06. | The number of drugs crimes was also on the increase, rising by 6% to 44,247 in 2005/06. |
| We now have a clearer picture of crime levels in Scotland and by most measures they are falling Cathy JamiesonJustice Minister | We now have a clearer picture of crime levels in Scotland and by most measures they are falling Cathy JamiesonJustice Minister |
| The overall fall was welcomed by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson. | The overall fall was welcomed by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson. |
| She said: "Fewer crimes means fewer victims and recorded crime last year fell to the second lowest figure in a generation - within 1% of the modern low in 2003/04. | She said: "Fewer crimes means fewer victims and recorded crime last year fell to the second lowest figure in a generation - within 1% of the modern low in 2003/04. |
| "This is despite the new victim-centred reporting standard, which means that the police record reports of more minor crimes that in previous years simply were not logged without corroborating evidence. | "This is despite the new victim-centred reporting standard, which means that the police record reports of more minor crimes that in previous years simply were not logged without corroborating evidence. |
| "We now have a clearer picture of crime levels in Scotland and by most measures they are falling." | "We now have a clearer picture of crime levels in Scotland and by most measures they are falling." |
| Beat police | |
| Commenting on the 6% drug crime rise, Ms Jamieson said it showed the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and police forces were intercepting more international gangs and seizing more drugs. | Commenting on the 6% drug crime rise, Ms Jamieson said it showed the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and police forces were intercepting more international gangs and seizing more drugs. |
| Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie welcomed the drop in crime but claimed that a lack of a police presence was adding to a lack of confidence in the justice system. | |
| She said: "Increasing the number of police on the beat will not only help deter and detect crime, but will give the public the type of policing they demand and need." | |
| The Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS) was implemented in April 2004 and was expected to increase the numbers of minor crimes recorded by police. | The Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS) was implemented in April 2004 and was expected to increase the numbers of minor crimes recorded by police. |
| There had been a significant increase in the numbers of cases of vandalism recorded in 2004/05, following the introduction of the SCRS. | There had been a significant increase in the numbers of cases of vandalism recorded in 2004/05, following the introduction of the SCRS. |