POLICE crime figures reveal that over the past decade serious assault and attempted murder cases fell by more than half in North Ayrshire, and by 38 per cent across Scotland.

The number of violent crimes in North Ayrshire fell from 217 in 2008/09 to 107 in 2017/18.

A separate study highlights the reduction in the proportion of younger offenders.

Adults in Scotland, where crime is at a 43 year low, are less likely to be a victim than those in England and Wales.

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson said: “These new figures again demonstrate how the SNP Government’s evidence-based approach to justice and rehabilitation is working for communities across North Ayrshire, thanks to the hard work of Police Scotland, Ayrshire Police and the Violence Reduction Unit. It’s vital that we build on this progress.”