SNP COMMENT ON CRIME REPORTS

SNP COMMENT ON CRIME REPORTS

HIGHER CRIME UNDER LABOUR TACKLED BY SNP

Commenting on two reports issued today on crime and perceptions of crime which show concerns about crime are higher than actual experience of crime in Scotland SNP MSP and Justice Committee member Stewart Maxwell said they showed that crime and justice policy must be based on what works as he highlighted falling crime rates in the first two years of SNP Government with more police on the streets in contrast to rising rates under the Labour Executive.

The number of offences increased 22% under Labour and have fallen by 8% in the first two years of the SNP Government.

The IPPR study points to alcohol as a likely cause of Scotland’s problems with violent crime.

The Scottish Social Attitudes Survey also highlights the difference between actual experience of crime and anti-social behaviour and the perception people get from media coverage of crimes.

Mr Maxwell said:

“Scotland’s crime rate is at it’s lowest for 30 years – lower than other parts of the UK - and there are more police on the streets than ever before.

“Crucially the number of offences has fallen in the last two years with more police on the street in contrast to their consistent rise in the previous 8 years of Labour administration.

“There is no denying that there are problems with crime and behaviour, particularly alcohol fuelled behaviour in some of our communities but we must tackle them with policies that work.

“As this survey shows people’s experience of anti-social behaviour is far lower than their perception of it.

“Justice policy must be based on dealing with the real and underlying causes of crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities, not knee jerk reactions or media headlines. That is why it is so disappointing that opposition parties are currently more concerned with scoring political points than making our communities safer.

“Opposition parties owe it to the public not to sensationalise crime but to work with the Government and police to tackle crime.

“As the IPPR report shows alcohol consumption is a major factor in crime in Scotland which is why it is so unfortunate that opposition parties are refusing to accept minimum pricing for alcohol as a measure that could save lives and cut crime.”