Fall in firearms offences

There was a fall in the number of offences

The number of firearms offences fell by 2% in Scotland last year, according to the latest official crime figures.

Statistics just released for 2002 showed that the police recorded 1,014 offences in which firearms were reported to have been used, down from 1,033 in 2001.

The number of incidents in which someone was killed or injured by firearms fell from 348 in 2001 to 334 in 2002 representing a 4% fall.

The Scottish Executive said 2% of recorded homicides involved the use of firearms and guns were also used in 3% of attempted murders and robberies.

Gun crime is a major cause of fear and distress and is a real problem in certain areas Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

Less than half a per cent of assaults and incidents of vandalism involved firearms.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson welcomed the decreases but said there was "no room for complacency".

She said: "There are still too many illegally held firearms in our society but thanks to police initiatives locally, the national gun amnesty and a significant tightening of the regulations on gun ownership we have made progress.

"Gun crime is a major cause of fear and distress and is a real problem in certain areas.

"We are committed to removing guns from our streets. It is time to reduce the threat posed by guns and make Scotland a safer place."