Scotland's murder rate is fastest-rising in Western Europe, UN finds
Scotland's murder rate is the fastest-rising in Western Europe and the
sixth-fastest in the world, according to a new report by the United
Nations.
By Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor
Last Updated: 7:28PM GMT 15 Feb 2009
Despite repeated pledges by the Scottish Executive to tackle the
country's "booze and blades" culture, the number of killings rose by a
third in just a year.
The murder rate in Scotland stands at 2.1 deaths per 100,000 people, the
joint highest in Western Europe with Finland and Portugal.
Between 2005 and 2006, the period covered by the report, the homicide
rate increased from 1.59, a rise of 34 per cent.
The figures outstrip the murder rate in the Czech Republic and Portugal,
both of which are plagued by knife crime and recorded a 30 per cent rise
over the same period.
Bill Aitken, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, described the
increase north of the Border as "depressing and alarming".
He added: "What do we need to do to smash this booze and blade culture
that prevails among youths in west central Scotland?
"There should be a significant increase in stop and search. Anyone
caught carrying a weapon should be fast-tracked by the courts and there
should be a presumption of custody."
The UN Survey of Crime Trends and Operation of Criminal Justice Systems
found the homicide rate in England and Wales fell 1 per cent and in
Northern Ireland by 12 per cent.
Huge falls of 46 per cent and 21 per cent were recorded in Denmark and
Switzerland respectively.
Meanwhile, in Finland, the previous murder capital of Western Europe
thanks to its liberal gun laws, saw its murder rate drop 1 per cent.
But Scotland's 30 per cent rise was topped only by Bahrain (73 per
cent), Jordan (45 per cent), Tajikistan (43 per cent), Armenia (37 per
cent) and Mauritius (34 per cent).
Of the 109 killings logged in Scotland, 31 were in Glasgow, and between
2005 and 2006 the number of murders in the city increased from 4.49 per
100,000 to 5.34.
Scottish Executive figures previously released for 2006-07 showed almost
half the 114 murders recorded north of the Border that year were carried
out with a knife or other sharp instrument.
Of the 78 countries surveyed by the UN, El Salvador has the highest
murder rate of 58.07 per 100,000 people. Iraq and Afghanistan are not
included in the report, presumably because it is still too difficult to
compile reliable data there.
An Executive spokesman said: "Knife crime is not a new problem in
Scotland. Too many Scots, especially young men, feel the need to carry a
blade under the delusion that it offers them protection.
"These figures cover 2005-06. A lot has changed since then and we are
tackling the problem now."
He added that ministers had recently introduced a new initiative that
will see Glasgow medics visiting schools and warning young people
against carrying a knife.
Meanwhile, a review of Scottish devolution could recommend control over
firearms, including air weapons, be transferred from Westminster to
Holyrood.
Sir Kenneth Calman, who is chairing the inquiry, has it is a key area
being examined despite the move being opposed by Jacqui Smith, the Home
Secretary.
Http://www.telegrap
tlands-murder-
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Monday, 16 February 2009
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