Homicide cases in Scotland fall to joint lowest level on record

The number of homicides in Scotland last year fell to the joint lowest level on record.

Figures for the number of murders and culpable homicides show there were 59 victims in 2017-18, down six from the previous year.

There were four in Dundee, two each in Fife and Perth and Kinross and none in Angus.

Other than Fife, where there were five, the figures were the same in each region the year before.

The National Statistics publication said last year had the joint lowest number of recorded homicide cases since 1976, the first year for which comparable data was available.

Over the last decade, the number of homicide cases in Scotland fell by 39% from 97 to 59 cases.

There were 45 male victims and 14 female in 2017-18, with the majority of deaths taking place in homes.

The government statistics showed that half of female victims last year were killed by a partner or ex-partner while half of male victims were killed by an acquaintance.

Of the 81 people accused in homicide cases in 2017-18, 37% were reported to have been under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both. It was also found 58% of cases involved a knife or other sharp instrument.

Only one of the 59 cases remains unsolved.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Behind these figures are grieving families and friends and my sincere sympathies go out to all those who have lost a loved one.”