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Longer prison sentences

Cabinet Secretary comments on Criminal Proceedings in Scotland statistics.

New figures which show the average custodial sentence for handling an offensive weapon in Scotland has risen by 7 per cent in the last year and is now three times higher than in 2004-05 have been welcomed by the Justice Secretary.

A detailed analysis for 2013/14 also shows that if you are caught carrying a knife or other pointed weapon in Scotland, you are now likely to receive a custodial sentence that is around 90 per cent longer than for the same offences in England and Wales.

Today’s criminal proceedings statistics for 2013-14 show that the total number of people proceeded against in Scottish courts increased by 4 per cent in the year to 2013/14. This rise has been primarily driven by rises in convictions for motor vehicle offences which increased by 14 per cent.

Overall, the average sentence length for all crimes increased by 3 per cent in 2013/14 compared to the previous year.

The statistics also show that convictions for non-sexual crimes of violence declined, in particular homicide and attempted murder and serious assault fell by 20 per cent in 2013/14. This can be seen in the context of the long term fall in violent crime experienced in recent years.

However, the number of people convicted for sexual crimes rose by 22 per cent compared to the previous year. This follows the recent publication of latest recorded crime statistics which showed a 12 per cent increase in sexual crimes recorded compared with 2012/13.

Mr Matheson said:

“Crime in Scotland has fallen to a 40-year low, violent crime is down 10 per cent and crimes of handling an offensive weapon (including knives) have reduced by 62 per cent since 2006-07.

“The 1,000 extra police officers we have put in our communities since 2007 are helping to keep clear up rates at a record high.

“What today’s figures show is that our courts are ensuring that serious offenders receive lengthy prison sentences. Overall sentence lengths for serious crimes are up, sentence lengths for all crimes more generally are up and it is pleasing to see that the average sentence on conviction for handling an offensive weapon is now 374 days – up 7 per cent in the past year – and three times higher than the average sentence for the same crime in 2004-05.

“You are now around 45 per cent more likely to receive a custodial sentence for carrying a knife or pointed weapon in Scotland compared to England and Wales, and receive a sentence that is almost double the length of sentence you would get south of the Border. This should serve as a warning to anyone out there who is thinking of carrying a weapon on the streets of Scotland.

“With crimes of handling an offensive weapon also down, these latest knife crime figures show that the combination of tough enforcement action, education and diversionary activity is paying off.

“Although the number of sexual crimes in Scotland is still unacceptably high, it is encouraging to see that the number of convictions for these crimes is up as we are seeing more victims coming forward and more cases reaching our courts.

“These types of cases can be harder to prove as they are often committed in private. “However victims should be assured that our law enforcement agencies and our courts are working hard to tackle these terrible crimes, secure the convictions of the guilty and ensure that they are punished.”

Notes To Editors

The full Criminal Proceedings in Scotland statistics 2013/14 can be found here:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/01132

 

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

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