Fall in crime figures

Police said the number of murders in the region had fallen by more than a quarter with attempted murders down by 15 per cent.

Serious assaults fell by more than 11% from 3,772 to 3,333 and robberies by 14% from 1,815 to 1,556.

The number of people caught carrying a knife has also fallen from 2,808 to 2,090.

Chief constable Stephen House said having more police officers out from behind their desks and on the streets had made a real difference.

He said: "For too long communities have been blighted and families left devastated by violence.

"We should all welcome the fact there is less violence in Strathclyde than there has been for the last few years.

"While it is good news the figures are falling, there is no doubt that there is still too much violence in the west of Scotland".

Mr House said the number one factor in violence across the area was alcohol.

He said the country as a whole needed a "serious debate about the amount of cheap booze that is making its way into the hands of our young people.

"Until we do something about our drink culture, we will never be able to allow our communities to break free from the circle of violence.

"The figures we have released today show that driving down crime does make lives better and saves money for our country.

"At a time when everyone is debating the funding of our public services I hope that we have shown that investing in the front line does deliver real results".

The figures were published last week in the Strathclyde Police annual report.

It showed murders, including culpable homicide, fell from 60 to 44 with attempted murders down from 344 to 291.

The number of common assaults, however, increased from 33,994 to 34 779.

Newlands/Auldburn councillor Stephen Curran, chairman of the Strathclyde police authority, added: "I have no doubt the increased presence of officers on our streets has been a major contributing factor.

"This is most welcome news with respect to our focus on delivering safer communities for all the people living and working in the region".