Crime: policy context

Concern about crime in Scotland, particularly currently violent and drug-related crime, as well as the related issue of anti-social behaviour has led to crime reduction being a key government priority. Efforts to tackle crime are reflected in many recent policy documents, including: the Scottish Executive's (SE) drugs strategy - Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership (1999); their proposals to reform the criminal justice system - Supporting Safer, Stronger Communities - Scotland's Criminal Justice Plan (2004); the SE's strategy for tackling Anti-Social Behaviour - Putting Our Communities First (2003); and the National Strategy on Domestic Abuse (2000).  In relation to addressing violent crime, new measures to tackle knife crime were introduced as part of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 and further legislation is proposed in the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Bill (121KB), introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 3 October 2006.

Additionally, the many interlinked initiatives aimed at regenerating communities, reducing social exclusion, improving the built environment and promoting green space focus on ways to reduce crime and improve community safety. Targets specifically aimed at improving crime clear-up rates, reducing juvenile offending rates and reconvictions are included within the Scottish Executive's 2005-2008 spending review targets.