Police recorded crime figures reveal that over the past decade under the Scottish Government, serious assault and attempted murder cases fell by more than half in North Ayrshire, and by 38% across Scotland.

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

A separate study into the age and gender of those convicted of violent crimes over the same period highlights the reduction in the proportion of younger offenders.

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

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson commented: “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.

“The fall in violent crime of course coincides with the fact that we now have 17,251 police officers in Scotland, compared to 16,265 in the second quarter of 2008.

“Meanwhile in England and Wales, the police numbers have fallen by 21,130 under successive Tory/Lib Dem Coalition and Tory Governments since 2010.

“It’s vital that we build on this progress. The Scottish Government will continue investing in crime prevention initiatives, and working with Police Scotland and others to further understand and reduce violence."