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Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Freeing criminals early from Scots prisons will ‘erode trust' in justice, charity warns
SNP ministers sneaked through the move unannounced before parly broke up for the summer, with the new home detention curfew rules kicking in from October 'SHAMEFUL' Freeing criminals early from Scots prisons will 'erode trust' in justice, charity warns FREEING criminals from jail after just 15 per cent of their sentence will 'erode trust' in justice, a charity has warned. Victim Support Scotland has hit out at a new law allowing cons to be freed from prison after just 15 per cent of their sentence would 'erode trust' in the justice system. Advertisement 2 Victim Support Scotland has raised concerns over the impact on trust in the justice system due to releasing prisoners early Credit: Getty 2 Scottish Tory MSP Liam Kerr said inmates will be "rubbing their hands with glee" Credit: Alamy We told earlier how SNP ministers sneaked through the move unannounced before parly broke up for the summer, with the new home detention curfew rules kicking in from October. It means inmates, including violent offenders, could be freed on an electronic tag after 15 per cent of their sentence, down from the current 25 per cent. Victim Support Scotland said the move was 'concerning', especially given 'the current lack of capacity for prisoner rehabilitation' in Scotland's jails. A spokeswoman said: 'The recent Scottish Crime and Justice Survey shows decreasing confidence in the criminal justice system - this has been a repeated trend for the last five years. Advertisement 'Measures like these early release measures contribute to this erosion of trust.' There were almost 6,000 criminals fitted with tags in 2023/24, with an increase of 14 per cent on the previous year. Tragic cases involving criminals on home detention curfew include the 2017 murder of Paisley dad Craig McClelland by killer James Wright, who'd sabotaged his tag and dodged cops for six months. The SNP, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Greens voted for the move this week, but the Scottish Tories opposed it. Advertisement Tory shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said prisoners across Scotland 'will be rubbing their hands with glee at the SNP's shameful capitulation to criminals'. Victim Support Scotland, headed by chief exec , said its primary concern was 'the safety and wellbeing of people impacted by crime' and said victims must be informed of any early releases so they can 'plan for their safety and even risk meeting perpetrators unexpectedly in their community'. Heartbreaking Old Firm march Grieving parents call for knife crime action in Scotland The spokeswoman added: 'We fear further Emergency Early Release programmes alongside Prisoner Early Release and revised Home Detention Curfew regulations, begging the question of any meaningful prison sentence or rehabilitation for offenders.' A Scottish Government research report this month said offenders released under electronic monitoring - or EM - 'may be less likely to reoffend than those released without monitoring', but admitted: 'Some studies found no difference in offending behaviour between those released with EM and those without.' Advertisement The change comes after separate laws giving short-term prisoners automatic early release after serving 40 per cent of their sentence, rather than 50 per cent, amid efforts to cut prison populations. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said tagging was a 'well-established part of our justice system which provides structured and managed transition for individuals being released back into the community'. She added: "There is no automatic right to home detention curfew. "Decisions on home detention release are made by the Scottish Prison Service following careful consideration of each case.'
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Children involved in thousands of violent crimes
Almost 8,000 violent crimes last year involved a child as the accused person, amid rising numbers of kids aged 11-15 found to be carrying weapons. Police Scotland data shows 7,700 overall violent crimes involving offenders under 18, making up 18.1% of violent crimes overall between March 2024 and April this year. The news comes amid concerns over knife crime in Scotland after two teenagers were allegedly knifed to death in separate incidents in recent months, and officers recovering over 200 weapons from teenagers aged 17 and under in the last year using stop and search powers. Critics have hit out at the Scottish Government's 'soft touch' justice approach, including the increasing use of recorded police warnings, Proportionate Response To Crime (PRTC), the presumption against prosecution for under 18s and even reduced sentences for under-25s who have committed serious crimes such as rape and murder. A senior Police Scotland officer also previously acknowledged that, in relation to shop lifting for example, young offenders and the criminal gangs who exploit them are aware of these outcomes and see it as 'low risk high/reward'. Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for justice Liam Kerr said: 'The alarming surge in the number of young people carrying weapons and the stubbornly high rate of violent crime involving children exposes the SNP's complacency around lighter penalties for young offenders. 'Despite John Swinney's insistence that real deterrents remain an option, the presumption under the SNP's soft-touch guidelines is that young people who offend are unlikely to face appropriate penalties. 'After 18 years in government, the SNP must take full responsibility for this dire situation.' According to Police Scotland, both the volume and proportion of violent crimes involving children decreased compared to the previous year. But they acknowledge there has been an increase in the number of youngsters carrying weapons, particularly among 11-15 year olds, with rising numbers of young girls also getting involved in violence. Force data shows robberies and common assaults were the violent crimes with the highest proportion of accused under 18, at 22.7% and 22.1% respectively. Just over half of violent crimes involving an accused under 18 took place in open spaces, with almost a quarter in residences and 18.3% in educational settings. A force report says: 'Recent analytical work between Police Scotland's Analysis and Performance Unit and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit has identified a substantial and consistent level of violent crime being committed by young people and that these crimes are often committed against other young people. 'The results of this analysis also indicate that there has been a higher frequency of younger accused persons across recent years when considering the period since 2019. 'It has also highlighted that older accused (16-18-year-olds) commit more serious violence whilst younger accused (11-15 years old) commit more crimes relating to violence and threatening behaviour.' According to Police Scotland, the changing nature of gangs and the 'exploitation of vulnerable young people' has emerged as a 'growing issue' impacting the problem of underage violence and offending. Force data also shows 38,802 offences went either undetected or unpunished in 2023/24 with 13,445 crime reports 'directly filed' for no further action under the PRTC scheme and 25,357 Recorded Police Warnings (RPWs) issued to offenders – an increase of more than 32% or 6,176 on the previous year when 19,181 were handed out. Under the scheme officers have been ordered not to conduct investigations into low-level offences where there are no obvious leads, witnesses or CCTV footage. Chief Constable Jo Farrell has said: 'I am concerned about… trends around violent crime committed by young people and often committed against other young people and we think a notable proportion of that is happening in and around schools. 'It's on policing and partners, local authorities, third sector, and beyond to work together to do all we can to prevent violence and reduce the harm it is causing. 'Reducing violence and preventing the harm it is causing continues to be an absolute priority.' Like this: Like Related
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Sex crimes in Scotland at second-highest level in 54 years
Opposition politicians blamed the rises on 'savage' cuts to frontline policing under the SNP government, which was accused of bringing the justice system to 'breaking point'. Liam Kerr, the Scottish shadow justice secretary, said: 'These shocking rises are the inevitable consequence of the SNP's savage and sustained cuts to frontline policing. 'Whether it's sexual crimes, other violent offences, shoplifting or domestic abuse, the trend is up, and Scotland's streets are becoming less safe. 'The increase in weapons being carried by school pupils exposes the epidemic of violence in Scotland's schools – and the woeful inadequacy of nationalist ministers' response to it.' 'Multiple' explanations Justice Secretary Angela Constance expressed concern over the rise in reported sexual crimes, but said that 'multiple factors' were responsible. She said these included efforts to tackle sexual offending by increasing confidence in the justice system so more victims come forward, improving support for victims and modernising the law on sexual offences. According to official data, recording of overall crime remains below the level prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and down 51 per cent from its peak in 1991. Damage and reckless behaviour crimes decreased to their lowest level since 1976, from 41,129 to 38,738. However, crimes against society, including drug possession, increased by 3 percent from 61,650 to 63,398 while lower-level offences such as road traffic and antisocial offences rose slightly from 174,073 to 175,919. Violent crime decreased Ms Constance pointed out that violent crime was down significantly in the past 20 years, with serious assaults and homicide levels at record lows. She said: 'However, we cannot afford to be complacent and I have been consistently clear that any instance of violence is one too many. 'That is why we are taking a wide range of actions to prevent, reduce and tackle violence, with more than £6 million funding invested over the past three years.' Scotland is 'a safe place to live' Addressing the wider drop in reported crime, Ms Constance added: 'These figures show that Scotland continues to be a safe place to live with reported crime falling by more than half since 1991. 'This comes on the back of the flagship Scottish Crime and Justice Survey which also showed people feel safer in their communities.' The Scottish government said £4.2 billion will be invested this year across the justice system including a record £1.64 billion for policing – an increase of £70 million from 2024-25. Projects supporting young people at risk of being drawn into criminal activities, under the Cashback for Communities programme, will receive up to £26 million over the next three financial years.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's sex crimes toll rockets as cops receive eight rape reports every single day
The shameful figures show almost 15,000 sickening incidents were logged by cops in just 12 months SHOCK STATS Scotland's sex crimes toll rockets as cops receive eight rape reports every single day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEX crimes in Scotland have rocketed with a shocking eight rape incidents reported every day, new shock statistics reveal. The shameful figures show almost 15,000 sickening incidents were logged by cops in just 12 months - the second highest level on record since 1971. 5 Police Scotland investigated a rising number of sex crimes in the last year. 5 Scots Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr hit out at the 'shocking' rise in sex crimes. Credit: Alamy Rape and attempted rape surged by 15% in the past year from 2,522 to 2,897 in 2024-25 - representing a 60% rise over the last decade. Another disturbing trend is a rise in crimes of indecent photos of children - up 11% from 747 to 828. Other alarming increases noted in the Scottish Government report include youth violence, weapons in schools and shoplifting. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: 'These shocking rises are the inevitable consequence of the SNP's savage and sustained cuts to frontline policing. 'Whether it's sexual crimes, other violent offences, shoplifting or domestic abuse, the trend is up, and Scotland's streets are becoming less safe. 'Worse still, the SNP's use of diversion of prosecution orders often means criminals are not being properly punished – and therefore not deterred. 'The increase in weapons being carried by school pupils exposes the epidemic of violence in Scotland's schools – and the woeful inadequacy of nationalist ministers' response to it. 'The buck stops with the SNP, who have undermined our police and left our justice system at breaking point. 'No wonder law-abiding Scots are increasingly fearful of being crime victims.' The Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024-25 bulletin shows that total crime remains at similar levels to 2023-24. Heartbreaking Old Firm march Grieving parents call for knife crime action in Scotland However, overall sex crimes rose by 3% from 14,484 in 2023-24 to 14,892 in the latest annual tally. Elsewhere the document reveals shoplifting shot up by 16% from 38,674 to 44,730 in the past year and 57% in the past 10 years. There was a 50% increase in handling and using an offensive weapon within Scotland's prison system from 72 cases to 108. And schools were also blighted by weapon-carrying offences with 152 crimes committed - an increase of 11%. There was a 26% increase in domestic abuse crimes in the past year, 20 serious assaults on police officers and 12 serious assaults on emergency workers in the past year. Supplying drugs increased by 14% in the past year from 4,223 to 4,802 crimes. More positively, levels of non-sexual crimes of violence dipped slightly over the year and continue to be 23% lower than in 2006-07. Serious assault and attempted murder now at their lowest level since 1977. Justice Secretary Angela Constance insisted the figures show 'Scotland continues to be safe place to live'. 5 The new report also homes in on the disturbing rise in retail crime. Credit: Alamy 5 The stats show a worrying number of weapons offences in Scotland's schools. Credit: Alamy 5 Justice Secretary Angela Constance admitted 'concern' over the rise in sex crimes. Credit: Alamy She added: 'Violent crime is down significantly in the past 20 years, with serious assaults and homicide levels at record lows. "However, we cannot afford to be complacent and I have been consistently clear that any instance of violence is one too many. "That is why we are taking a wide range of actions to prevent, reduce and tackle violence, with more than £6 million funding invested over the past three years. 'I am concerned these figures also show a rise in reported sexual crimes. "Multiple factors will lie behind this and our action to tackle sexual offending includes increasing confidence in the justice system so more victims come forward, improving support for victims and modernising the law on sexual offences." She pointed to a £3 million budget boost for Police Scotland to work with the retail sector and said the Scottish Government had invested £4.2 billion across the justice system including a record £1.64 billion for policing – an increase of £70 million on 2024-25.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Scotland's prosecutors using offender's chosen gender to record crimes
Prosecutors have been accused of 'protecting the egos of offenders' by recording their self-declared gender in official figures. Hate crime data produced by the Crown Office reflects a mix of gender based on physical appearance as recorded by police officers, and self-ID. The Crown Office insists that 'information regarding the sex or gender of accused persons is not essential to prosecute crime' – and that it will respect the 'pronouns of an accused person'. It comes after the Supreme Court ruled that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, rather than chosen gender. Last night Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'This confirms how entrenched the SNP 's gender self-ID obsession is in Scotland's justice system and will undoubtedly lead to further confusion in how crimes are recorded. 'The Crown should have the scope to focus on what really matters, rather than being forced to waste time protecting the egos of offenders.' A Crown Office report on hate crime says 'sex can be considered to refer to whether someone is male or female based on their physiology and genetic make-up', while 'gender' represents a 'social construct or sense of self that takes a wider range of forms'. The Crown said 'in this report we refer to ''sex'' rather than ''gender'' because this better reflects recording practices in relation to this information'. But the report also says: 'In reality, it is likely that recording includes a mixture of physiological and personal identity. 'The sex of a small number of accused is not recorded, where the police have not provided this information to COPFS [Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service].' The report adds: 'Sex, as referred to in this bulletin, is generally identified by a police officer based on their assessment of whether a person presents as male or female – in most cases, this is based on the physiology of a person rather than self-identified gender. 'It is recorded for operational purposes, such as requirements for searching. It is also included in the information reported to COPFS. 'However, in most cases, information regarding the sex or gender of accused persons is not essential to prosecute crime. 'It would only be essential where it is material to the proof of the crime.' The Crown said it 'will respect and use the chosen name and pronouns of an accused person in all communications with them'. Last night Dr Kath Murray, of gender-critical think-tank Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, said: 'The corruption of criminal justice data on sex has come about through a blinkered reliance on activists in pursuit of gender self-identification.'
