In Scotland, self-reported drug use has declined significantly, new figures by Scotland's Chief Statistician reveal. The "Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) Drug Use Report" showed that during 2012-2013, the percentage of adults admitting to using illicit drugs use was 6.2%, down from 7.6% during 2008-2009. The report also pointed [...]

Rape cases have increased by 23% in Scotland, compared to 2013 levels, according to figures released by Police Scotland. The figures show that the total number of reported rapes over the year was 1,690 but it is believed that about 75% of rape cases go unreported. The information clearly indicates [...]

The average number of reconvictions per offender declined by 17% between 2002-2003 and 2011-2012, figures published by Scotland's Chief Statistician show. In the period 2010-11 to 2011-12, the average number of reconvictions per offender in all of Scotland fell by almost 4%, with the reconviction rate going down from 30.1% [...]

Citizen's Advice Scotland (CAS) has reported that its helpline received nearly 220 complaints last year from fraud victims in the Lothians. The majority of calls were related to Internet scams. Country-wide, the total number of calls for support recorded a 14% increase on the preceding year, according to the CAS [...]

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has come forward with a list of recommendations regarding stop and search tactics. Their aim is to improve targeting, enhance effectiveness and increase transparency. As the review results have shown, stop and search plays an important part in cracking down on violence and anti-social behaviour, [...]

One of Scotland's most high-profile murder cases is returning to court, Edinburgh News reports. The Crown Office announced earlier this week that Angus Sinclair will again stand trial on suspicion of murdering Christine Eadie and Helen Scott almost four decades ago, after a night out in a pub. Sinclair has [...]

Scotland's Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson, has expressed the belief that specialist litigation would greatly contribute to the fight against domestic abuse. In her speech at the recently held COPFS Domestic Abuse Conference, Thomson said the country should embrace a more modern approach to dealing with this crime. One way of [...]

Speeding fines collected by the Lothian and Borders police via the use of mobile cameras has increased, triggering criticism that speed guns are being used as a revenue source. However, Police Scotland maintain that no such agenda exists and the focus remains on reducing road deaths and serious injuries, the [...]

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) is gearing towards an inquiry into the use of stop and search tactics by Police Scotland. The move has been prompted by the recent controversy that erupted after insider allegations of the unethical use of the powers – more specifically the fabrication [...]

Since the creation of the single Scottish police force a year ago, Lanarkshire has made significant progress in driving down crime rates. According to Chief Superintendent Nelson Telfer, divisional commander for Lanarkshire, local police officers have performed above expectations and serious crime detection rates have hit record levels. Telfer said [...]