Recorded crime is now at a 39 year low recent figures have revealed. These figures reveal that the last time that crime was this low Richard Nixon was President, Kojak was one of the top TV series and the Bay City Rollers were in the charts.

Speaking on the figures Paisley’s MSP, George Adam said:

Town Hall‘It was thought a few years ago that it would be difficult to reduce crime any further. These figures show how seriously crime is taken by the government.

‘In 2007 the SNP was elected with a pledge of 1000 extra police on the beat. It is no coincidence that crime has continued to fall since then. This increase not only gives peace of mind, it is a valuable presence which deters crime.

‘The SNP were the only party to make this proposal. The Labour party said it would take 13 years to implement. Well thank goodness we have an SNP government if that is Labour’s work rate, or were they just making claims that were less than accurate?

‘I’m sure that everyone will agree with me in congratulating our police service in this record reduction in crime and I’m sure all of us will help them in continuing this crime breaking trend.’
Commenting on the figures, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
‘Today’s statistics show that Scotland’s communities are becoming safer places to live, with recorded crime falling for the sixth year in a row to its lowest level for 39 years.
‘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. That’s why we are investing in the No Knives, Better Lives initiative – now in 11 areas across Scotland – and why we work with other key partners like the Violence Reduction Unit and Medics Against Violence. Together, we are working hard to change attitudes to violence and knife crime – making it clear that it is never acceptable.
‘We are also taking a robust approach to enforcement –sentences for carrying a knife in Scotland are the toughest in the UK and our prosecutors are taking a zero tolerance approach. Today’s figures show these united efforts to tackle knife crime are beginning to pay off, but there will be no complacency.

‘While today’s overall statistics are encouraging, it is concerning to see that the number of sexual offences recorded by police have increased by five per cent. 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.

‘At a Government level, we have strengthened the law around sex crimes by bringing in the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. We are also giving £3.6 million funding to support victims of rape from 2012-15. Just yesterday, I met with the Rape and Sexual Crime External Advisory Group which now operates across Police Scotland and works closely with police officers to help inform and improve rape investigations. Meanwhile, the Scottish Police Service has launched a new National Rape Taskforce to further improve the investigation of rape and other sexual crimes right across the country.’

www.paisleysmsp.org

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Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X