CRIME is now at one of the lowest levels since records began in Scotland as incidents have plummeted by more than 40% over the last decade, figures show.
Statistics from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey also showed just 11.9% of people experienced crime in 2019/20, compared with 20.4% in 2008/09.
It is also lower than the equivalent figures in England and Wales of 13.3%.
The survey found the volume of crime in Scotland, including incidents not reported to the police, had fallen by 46% over the last 10 years or so from an estimated 1,045,000 incidents in 2008/09 to 563,000 in 2019/20.
The SNP have said the country is a safer place under their governance highlighting how they have protected police officers, with around 32 officers per 10,000 population in Scotland compared to around 23 in England and Wales.
The party added they are the best-paid officers in the UK with a new constable in Scotland starting on £26,737, compared to £21,654 in England.
SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll, a former detective sergeant police officer, said: “Throughout the SNP’s time in government it has taken tackling crime seriously and has made Scotland a safer place as a result.
“Not only has the Scottish Government cracked down on crime, but its approach has also meant that reoffending is at its lowest level in the last 22 years – proving that the smart justice approach is paying off in Scotland.
“The figures compared to those in England show that the Tories’ apparent ‘tough on crime’ approach is failing as incidences of crime are higher in Tory-run England than they are in Scotland.
“Despite devastating Westminster cuts, the SNP Scottish Government has not only maintained a higher number of officers per head on the streets in Scotland compared to England but has also made a career in the police the most attractive compared to the rest of the UK as officers are paid the highest wage.
“It is only the SNP that can be trusted not only to keep Scotland safe, but to keep crime low and to protect police services for the future.”
