AMIDST all the economic gloom and doom, recently published figures showed that the number of homicides across Scotland last year at their lowest point since records began in 1976, with 53 people falling victim to homicide.

While each one still represents a human tragedy, this was six fewer than the previous year and less than half the number when the SNP came into office.

Excellent work by Police Scotland solved all 53 cases.

Scottish Ministers increased this year’s policing budget to £1,132 million.

This includes funding for ongoing and innovative violence prevention activity, with an increase of 14 per cent for the Violence Reduction Unit which works in partnership with Police Scotland and SNP Government to prevent violent crimes and reduce re-offending.

The SNP Government has invested over £24 million as part of sustained efforts to prevent violence, including over £4.5 million for the No Knives, Better Lives campaign to deter young people from carrying knives.

With 47 per cent of homicides in 2021-22 involving a sharp instrument, this campaign warns young people and others about the dangers of carrying knives.

Scottish Ministers’ commitment to protecting our public services aided this decrease in homicides, despite operating within a budget constrained by Westminster. Scotland has 31 police officers per 10,000 people compared to only 24 in England and Wales.

Furthermore, starting salaries for a constable in Scotland are the UK’s highest at £26,737 compared to £21,654 in England.

This recognition of police officers’ hard work continues to attract new Police recruits and 77 per cent of Scots say they now feel safer in their communities than a decade ago.

Preventing crime and early intervention is an integral part of driving down crime.

Scotland’s unique £110 million CashBack for Communities Programme reinvests money from the proceeds of crime to provide activities and opportunities for disadvantaged young people to divert them away from antisocial behaviour and law-breaking.

Currently in Phase 5, across Scotland 24 organisations have been awarded a share of £19 million to further support the 106,000 young people involved.

In North Ayrshire, £159,757 was invested in activities to support young people into employment, education, training or volunteering.

With the number of people under 21 in custody falling from 325 to 216 between 2019 and 2021, it’s important to continue funding early intervention schemes.

Scottish Ministers continue their focus on reducing reoffending by encouraging the use of community sentences instead of ineffective short-term prison sentences.

Community Justice Scotland provides an opportunity for ex-offenders to make a positive contribution to society and, where necessary, receive essential treatment for substance and alcohol misuse or mental health support.

Although non-sexual violent crime across Scotland has been on a downward trajectory since 2013, further work is required both nationally and locally, particularly on public transport.

The SNP Government remains committed to tackling crime across the country to ensure safer streets for all.

However, with Westminster having cut this year’s Scottish Budget by 5.2 per cent, independence is essential to ensure the fiscal flexibility necessary to invest more in our essential public services, including policing.