A REDUCTION in violent crime around the Wee County and Scotland has been welcomed by a local politician.

Broadly indicative statistics on attempted murder and serious assault show an around 14 per cent reduction locally when comparing 2017-18 figures to numbers from 2008-09.

That is well below the Scottish average, which showed a downward trend of 38 per cent.

More importantly, deeper analysis of official Police Scotland figures for the local area revealed the numbers have been going up and down over the past decade, to as little as 33 in 2016-17, but back up to 47 – or 49 if murders are also to be considered - the year after.

Recent figures, going back as far as 2012-13, have however remained below the 53 counts of attempted murder and serious assault recorded in 2008-09, which formed the baseline for government research into the matter.

The official guidance for the analysis, which was a study into the characteristics of serious assault, said: “This research is based on a sample of police records (rather than all records), therefore the percentages (proportions) presented in this report are estimates.

“The true value may differ slightly from the findings presented below due to sampling error.

“As such, users should treat the following analysis as a broad indication of the characteristics of attempted murder and serious assault, rather than as an exact measure.”

SNP MSP Keith Brown welcomed the report, saying: “These new figures are encouraging, and reflect a significant reduction in violence in Clackmannanshire and across Scotland – yet more proof that the Scottish Government’s evidence-based approach to justice and rehabilitation is working.

“The fall in violent crime also coincides with a rise in police numbers since the SNP came to power – in contrast to England and Wales, where police numbers have fallen by almost 20,000.

“It’s vital that we build on this progress. The SNP in government will continue investing in crime prevention initiatives, and working with police and others to further understand and reduce violence wherever it persists.”