COLIN BEATTIE MSP WELCOMES REPORT AS CRIME IN SCOTLAND IS HALVED UNDER THE SNP

VOTE SNP IN MAY TO KEEP MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN SAFE
 
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed a report which has found that crime in Scotland has halved under the SNP Scottish Government, with violent crime down nearly two-fifths.
 
The Scottish Crime and Justice Report interviewed people in Scotland and shows people are less likely to be a victim of crime. Since 2008-09, the number of adults experiencing crime has fallen from 20.4% to 11.9%.
 
The survey also revealed that people in Scotland are less likely to be a victim of crime in Scotland than in England and Wales, with 11% and 13% respectively of those interviewed experiencing crime.
 
The report means SNP policies have made streets across Scotland safer and people in Midlothian and East Lothian are less likely to be victims of crime.
 
Commenting on the report, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“The findings of this report are very much to be welcomed and are testament to the hard work and dedication of our police and community volunteers in Midlothian and East Lothian who have contributed to a phenomenal effort to make our streets safer.
 
“The SNP Scottish Government has introduced ambitious projects to tackle crime, particularly violent crime, and it is satisfying to see these are paying off.
 
“Although these figures are encouraging, this report does show there is work to be done to ensure that people feel safe on our streets - especially so that women feel safe walking the streets at night.
 
"While we will never be complacent when it comes to tackling crime on the streets of Midlothian and East Lothian, these figures show that the SNP continues to have a solid record of progress and, unlike the Tories, a positive vision to make our communities safer.”