The SNP has welcomed statistics out today showing the number of recorded firearms offences in Scotland are at an all-time low.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill hailed the report from Scotland’s Chief Statistician showing offences involving firearms has dropped by almost a quarter over the past year. The number recorded by Scotland's police forces fell 24 per cent, from 843 in 2009-10 to 643 in 2010/11 – a reduction of almost half since 2006/07's figure of 1,259.
Mr MacAskill said:
"I warmly welcome these statistics as they demonstrate that, year on year, the number of crimes involving guns on our streets is dropping rapidly and the number of recorded offences involving firearms is now at a 32-year low.
“The message appears to be getting across that guns put lives at risk and anyone caught using them can and will be punished heavily.
"Our police officers across Scotland deserve great credit for their detection, educational and preventative work to get firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals and off our streets.
"These statistics reinforce that our communities are becoming safer and better protected. Thanks to the efforts of 1,000 extra police on our streets, recorded crime is now at its lowest level in 35 years, violent crime is down, fear of crime is down, and crimes of handling an offensive weapon are down to their lowest level in a decade – 38 per cent less than they were in 2006/07.”
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP John Finnie, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee member, echoed Mr MacAskill’s comments. He said:
“As a former policeman I welcome these figures. Year on year, the number of crimes involving guns on our streets is decreasing and the number of offences involving firearms is at its lowest for 32 years.
“We have put an extra 1000 police officers across Scotland and they deserve great credit for their commitment to get firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.
“Guns put lives at risk and the SNP Government has delivered the message that anyone caught using them can and will be punished heavily.
"These statistics reinforce that our communities are becoming safer and better protected. Recorded crime is now at its lowest level in 35 years, violent crime is down and fear of crime is down.
“But while there are many positive elements to Scotland’s firearm statistics, we cannot and afford to be complacent.
“The SNP Government will continue to work tirelessly with the police, our communities across Scotland, the Crown Office and the courts.”
