A VIOLENT COUNTRY WITH THE MOST VIOLENT CITY? ITS HERE
Kirsteen Paterson

Metro
February 16, 2009 Monday
UK

SCOTLAND has the fastest rising murder rate in western Europe,
a United Nations report reveals.

Homicides have increased by more than one third, reaching 2.1 killings
per 100,000 people.

Only Finland and Portugal have the same number of murders, making
Scotland joint top.

However, the UN survey shows Scotlands murder rate jumped almost 35
per cent over 2005 to 2006. This compares to a one per cent fall in
Finland and 30 per cent increase in Portugal.

Scotlands rise is the sixth biggest in the world, following Bahrain,
Jordan, Tajikistan, Armenia and Mauritius.

Of the 109 murders logged in Scotland during this period, 31 took
place in Glasgow. The number of killings in the city per 100,000
people rose from 4.49 to 5.34 between 2005-2006, making it the most
violent city in Western Europe. Meanwhile, Scottish government data
for 2006-2007 sees the death toll rise again to 114.

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: What do we need to do to
smash this booze and blade culture that prevails among youths in west
central Scotland?

There should be a significant increase in stop and search. Anyone
caught carrying a weapon should be fast-tracked by the courts and
there should be a presumption of custody.A government spokesman said:
Knife crime is not a new problem in Scotland. Too many Scots especially
young men feel the need to carry a blade under the delusion that it
offers them protection. Through education and enforcement, we can
help Scotland to lose its reputation for knife crime.