Scotland crime falls to lowest level in 29 years
Independent: Recorded crime in Scotland has dropped to its lowest level since 1980, statistics published yesterday showed.
The number of reported crimes in 2008-09 fell to 377,483, down 2 per cent on the previous year, itself the lowest level since the mid 1980s, and marks a 10 per cent drop since the Scottish National Party were elected in 2007. Violent crime, sexual offences and vandalism all fell, but there were slight increases in fraud and theft.
Government officials were pleased with the figures but Labour said it marked only a 2 per cent reduction – significantly less than than in England and Wales – and claimed that ministers were losing the fight on crime.