Number of homicides in Scotland falls to record low

The number of homicides in Scotland fell to their lowest on record last year, according to new figures published today.

There were 57 homicide cases recorded by police in Scotland in 2015-16, an 8 per cent fall on the previous year and 52 per cent down on the 119 cases recorded in 2006-07.

The number is the lowest for a single twelve-month period since 1976, the first year for which comparable data are available.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “While it is encouraging to see continued falls in homicide cases alongside the long-term decline in violent crime, the sustained efforts that have helped achieve this – through education and enforcement – must continue, because each of the lives lost is one life too many.

“There is a clear role across a range of public services, in addition to the critical work of our police, to continue to support communities that may remain at risk from violent crime and to challenge irresponsible attitudes both to alcohol misuse and to so-called ‘casual’ violence.

“We will continue to work with partners and invest in a range of projects to help steer our young people away from the risks of a life of violence and crime, while also ensuring our law enforcement agencies and the courts have the powers and resources needed to deal with those who do harm to others.”