Living in fear, despite lower crime figures

AFTER what seems a relentless series of knife crimes, rapes, vicious assaults and episodes of alcohol-fuelled rowdyism, it will come as a surprise to many that the crime rate in Scotland is falling. According to new police figures, there were 60,000 fewer recorded crimes last year compared with the previous 12 months. The numbers of murders, rapes, housebreakings, vandal attacks and drug offences have fallen, and in some cases quite substantially.

This should be good news for everyone – particularly the old and vulnerable who are often afraid to venture out for fear of attack. And to the extent that the figures reflect an overall decrease in criminal activity – particularly that involving viol...