Cold cases bring murder detection rate to 109 per cent

Police Scotland solved more murders in 2014-15 than were committed over the year, according to new performance figures published by the force.

Five murders which were recorded in previous years were solved in 2014-15, leading the single force to publish a detection rate for homicide of 109.1 per cent over the 12-month period.

The figures, which have not yet been checked and republished by the Scottish government, show how falling levels of violence allowed the national police force to reopen investigations into historically unsolved cases.

There were 55 murders recorded in Scotland during 2014-15, of which 52 were actually committed that year. This represents a 3.5 per cent decrease on the year before.

As well as opening cold cases, the overall 4.7 per cent reduction in total recorded crime has freed up police resources for tackling domestic abuse and sexual crimes.

The number of domestic abuse incidents recorded in Scotland rose over the year by 1.8 per cent to total 59,471, while the number of sexual crimes recorded increased by 9.3 per cent to total 9,557.

There were 1,797 rapes recorded during the period, an increase of 91.

The overall detection rate for sexual offences improved by 2.4 per cent over the year to 76.5 per cent. The detection rate for domestic crime in 2014/15 was 82.2 p.

Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “Over the past two years, we have significantly enhanced our whole approach to investigating the most serious of crimes including murder, rape and domestic abuse.

“Through the introduction of Major Investigation Teams, Rape and Domestic Abuse Taskforces and divisional investigation units, we have seen national specialist support being provided to local policing teams to ensure our response is as effective and responsive as possible.”

He added: “Public confidence and user satisfaction in the service remains high, which is welcome, given the way policing has evolved over the past two years since the introduction of a single service.”