Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has today welcomed news that cases of handling offensive weapons have continued to fall across Perth and Kinross.

Cases of handling of offensive weapons across the region have fallen by 60% since the SNP came to power in 2007, latest figures have revealed – proving that the SNP’s approach to crime and justice in the community is working.

The latest figures back up Tory Justice Minister Rory Stewart’s comments that the rest of the UK “has a lot to learn from Scotland” – and are a further indication that SNP efforts to tackle issues such as knife crime have worked.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“This is welcome news – and proof that the Scottish Government’s approach to issues such as knife crime are paying dividends for our communities across Perth and Kinross.

“Thanks to our approach to justice, and well-supported police in our communities, there has been a marked drop in the number of weapons offences across the region. People across Perth and Kinross can feel safer in their communities on the back of this excellent set of figures.

“Given this sharp drop in weapons offences – 60% since 2007, it is no wonder that the UK Government are looking to Scotland for answers on how to tackle crime. Indeed, the Tories have publicly admitted that they have ‘a lot to learn from Scotland’.

“The SNP has made justice one of its top priorities since coming to power in 2007 – putting more police on the streets and taking decisive action to reduce reoffending, meaning crime is at its lowest level in over 40 years and our communities are as safe as ever before.”

As Perth and Kinross – and Scotland as a whole – welcome a reduction in cases of handling offensive weapons, figures published today by the Office of National Statistics have revealed that knife crime has soared by 16% in the last year alone across England and Wales.