Pubdate: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 Source: Herald, The (Glasgow, UK) Copyright: 2008 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited Contact: http://www.theherald.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4784 Author: Brian Donnelly DRINK AND DRUGS ARE LINKED TO HALF OF KILLINGS IN SCOTLAND LAST YEAR Nearly half of the killings in Scotland last year were carried out by people on drink or drugs. However, the number of homicides dropped over the period - after a rise of nearly one-quarter the previous year. Official statistics showed the number of deaths caused through stabbing with a sharp instrument, such as a knife, has gone up.More than half (58%) of the homicides took place in the Strathclyde Police area, although the actual number, 66, was 10 fewer than the previous year. The number of homicides in Glasgow was 30 compared with 11 in Edinburgh. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill yesterday welcomed the slight drop but vowed to tackle "knife culture". The figures released by Scotland's chief statistician give the latest figures on the number of homicides - murder and culpable homicide - recorded by Scottish police forces in 2007-08. They showed that there were 114 victims of homicide recorded, compared with 119 in 2006-07. The homicide rate for males, 36 victims per million population, was four times the rate for females. Almost half of the killings were carried out with a sharp instrument - 55 cases (48%), up slightly from 54 (45%) last year. Mr MacAskill said the most recent recorded crime figures published in September also showed recorded crime at its lowest for 25 years. However, he said: "We are not complacent and the latest homicide stats serve as a stark reminder that there are still far too many people using knives and that many are doing so while under the influence of drink or drugs. "This deadly cocktail can so often lead to tragic consequences and that is why this government is determined to tackle the country's knife culture. "We welcome the slight reduction in deaths. However, one death is one too many. That is why we need to continue to challenge and change the bevvy and blades culture." The figures also show that 45% of the 148 accused in homicide cases were reported to have been drunk or on other drugs at the time of the incident, roughly the same as last year. Of the 111 victims where an accused has been identified, 80% were killed by someone known to them. The government is working with the police violence reduction unit on tougher enforcement and changing attitudes to knife carrying. Ministers last week announced UKP1.6m for the Community Initiative To Reduce Violence, which unites police, council, education and health professionals to try to reduce violence among gangs in the east end of Glasgow. Bill Aitken, shadow justice secretary, said: "Despite the slight fall in the number of victims from last year, there has still been a shocking 21% increase since 2005-06. "It is a damning indictment of a complete failure to get a grip on justice issues since devolution. I hope this sends a clear message to the SNP Government - emptying our prisons and turning early release into even earlier release is not going to make things better. Robert Brown, LibDem justice spokesman, said the figures revealed "Scotland's shame with an endemic macho culture based on alcohol and knives". - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D