Crime in Scotland is 40% down under the SNP
by Throughout our time in government, we’ve taken tackling crime seriously and worked hard to keep Scotland safe.
Figures reveal that Scotland is a safer place under the SNP, with crime down 40% since 2006/2007.
Here’s a summary with 6 key facts.
Crime is at one of the lowest levels since records began
Levels of crime in Scotland are at one of the lowest in nearly 50 years, since records began in 1974.
And figures from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey show that just 11.9% of people experienced crime in 2019/20 – compared with 20.4% in 2008/09.
People are more likely to feel safer in their communities than a decade ago.
The Vision for Justice promotes addressing the underlying causes of crime with a collaborative approach to reduce offending and causes of offending at the outset.
For more ➡️ https://t.co/v2SdlPynWD pic.twitter.com/8ffXZk9fRt
— ScotGov Justice (@ScotGovJustice) February 18, 2022
The figure is also lower than the 13.3% in England and Wales.
Scotland has a higher proportion of police officers than anywhere else in the UK
Despite cuts to its central budget from Westminster, the SNP Scottish Government has protected Scotland’s police officers.
In Scotland, there are around 32 police officers per 10,000 population – compared to around 23 in England and Wales.
Police officers in Scotland are the best paid in the UK
We recognise the hard work being done by police officers to keep us safe, which is why the starting salaries for a new constable in Scotland are the highest in the UK – at £26,737, compared to £21,654 in England.
We’ve also delivered a £700 pay rise in 2021/22, and a one-off payment of £250 – a stark contrast with England and Wales, where most officers received no pay increase.
Re-offending at the lowest level in over 20 years
Not only has the Scottish Government cracked down on crime, but its approach has also meant that re-offending is at its lowest level in 22 years – proving that the SNP’s smart approach to justice is paying off in Scotland.
We’re investing the proceeds of crime to support community projects
We have introduced Cashback for Communities, a youth programme unique to Scotland that has helped transform the lives of over 105,000 young people in the past three years.
Since 2008, £110 million from the proceeds of crime has been committed to community projects – reinvests seized criminal assets into benefitting young people and helping to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The CashBack for Communities Programme, which is unique to Scotland, reinvests money recovered from the proceeds of crime to provide activities and opportunities for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people to divert them away from antisocial behaviour and crime. pic.twitter.com/dz7XkIS6S9
— ScotGov Justice (@ScotGovJustice) March 24, 2022
And we’re protecting our policing budget
Despite constraints on Scotland’s public services after 12 years of UK Tory austerity, the Scottish Government has increased the policing budget for by £40.5million in the 2022/23 Budget.
This protects the police budget in real terms – meaning our police services can be fit for the future, and ensuring the safety and security of communities across Scotland.