Recorded crime at 39 year low

knives

Recorded crime in Scotland is now at its lowest level since 1974. The number of crimes has fallen by 13 per cent, a drop of just over 41,000 in 2012-13 to 273,053.

Statistics published today also show violent crime fell by 21 per cent and crimes of handling offensive weapons are at a 27-year low. However, the number of sexual offences recorded by police went up by five per cent. The figures also show a slight rise in the number of offences, which include driving and minor alcohol offences, of less than one per cent.

The clear up rate for crimes increased last year and is now at its highest since 1976.

Crime

Commenting on the figures, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill (pictured above) said:

“Today’s statistics show that Scotland’s communities are becoming safer places to live, with recorded crime falling for the sixth year in a row to its lowest level for 39 years. It is particularly encouraging to see violent crime dropping by 21 per cent last year and crimes of handling an offensive weapon down by 60 per cent since 2006-07. However, make no mistake, there will be no let-up in our efforts backed by record numbers of police officers – over 1,000 extra since 2007 – who are keeping communities safe and clearing up crimes more efficiently than ever before.

“We are continuing to work tirelessly to reduce knife crime and violence in Scotland, and believe education and prevention are key to tackling the root causes of violence. That’s why we are investing in the No Knives, Better Lives initiative – now in 11 areas across Scotland – and why we work with other key partners like the Violence Reduction Unit and Medics Against Violence. Together, we are working hard to change attitudes to violence and knife crime – making it clear that it is never acceptable.

“We are also taking a robust approach to enforcement –sentences for carrying a knife in Scotland are the toughest in the UK and our prosecutors are taking a zero tolerance approach. Today’s figures show these united efforts to tackle knife crime are beginning to pay off, but there will be no complacency. “While today’s overall statistics are encouraging, it is concerning to see that the number of sexual offences recorded by police have increased by five per cent. This may be down to increased reporting but the public should be assured that the Scottish Government, police and prosecutors take the investigation and prosecution of these traumatic crimes extremely seriously and are taking action to address them.

“At a Government level, we have strengthened the law around sex crimes by bringing in the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. We are also giving £3.6 million funding to support victims of rape from 2012-15.  Just yesterday, I met with the Rape and Sexual Crime External Advisory Group which now operates across Police Scotland and works closely with police officers to help inform and improve rape investigations. Meanwhile, the Scottish Police Service has launched a new National Rape Taskforce to further improve the investigation of rape and other sexual crimes right across the country.”

Recorded crime in Scotland, 2012-13

For those too young to remember, The Rubettes were at Number One with ‘Sugar Baby Love’ in June 1974, ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Blazing Saddles’ were the most popular films and Scotland even qualified for the World Cup finals in Germany! (We also became the first ever country to be eliminated from a World Cup Finals without having lost a match …)

THE RUBETTES criminal records?
THE RUBETTES criminal records?

Spartans set for new Lowland League

images[1]The Spartans will be among the twelve clubs selected to compete in the new Scottish Lowland Football League, the Scottish Football Association has announced. 

Twenty-seven clubs from the East of Scotland and South of Scotland Leagues, as well as members of the Scottish Junior Football Association, expressed an initial interest before 17 formal applications were submitted.

The new league is part of the major restructuring of Scottish football which includes plans for play-offs between teams from the Scottish Third Division, the Scottish Lowland Football League and the Scottish Highland Football League from the end of season 2014/15.

Joining Spartans in the new Lowland League are Dalbeattie Star, East Kilbride, Edinburgh City, Gala Fairydean Rovers, Gretna (2008), Preston Athletic, Selkirk, Threave Rovers, University of Stirling, Vale of Leithen and Whitehill Welfare.

The Project Steering Group, made up of the Scottish FA Executive, licensing committee and club representatives, selected the twelve succesful applicants based on their ability to meet Scottish FA club licensing criteria and their decision will be ratified by the Board of the Scottish FA at its meeting on 27th June.

Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for all 12 clubs, and another step forward for league reconstruction in Scotland. It’s important that ambitious clubs are given opportunities to progress. With the Scottish Lowland Football League running in tandem with the Scottish Highland Football League from next season, we are on track to create a pyramid system feeding into the senior leagues.

“The hard work now continues with the creation of the new league board, appointment of office bearers and detailed planning ahead of the start of the new season in August. On behalf of the Scottish FA, I wish all 12 clubs the very best of luck for the new season and beyond.”

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Broken Hearts

Happier Days 1
Happier Days 1

It was inevitable. And while the international wrangling over who should administer the process may go on today, be clear – Hearts are going into administration. 

The fragile edifice that was the complicated financial world of Vladimir Romanov has finally come crashing down. First Ukio Bankas, then UBIG and now – Heart of Midlothian FC, formed in 1874.

It seems hard to believe now, but when Lithuanian businessman Vladimir Romanov took control at Tynecastle back in 2005 there were some who welcomed him as a saviour. Now, eight years and SIXTEEN managers later, dreams of building a side to challenge the might of the Old Firm at home, and the cream of Europe abroad, lie in tatters. The challenge now is simply to stay alive.

In a game that lives by clichés, it’s been a rollercoaster ride. From the highs of Scottish Cup wins in 2006 and 2012, European adventures – and a 2005/6 season that might even have seen Hearts crowned SPL champions if only Vlad hadn’t started meddling with team selections and sacking managers – to the lows of unpaid bills, unpaid wages and now the ignominy of liquidation, there’s never been a dull moment under Vlad’s reign; for a while he was the man who gave the Hearts fans a dream.

But now, though, the dream is well and truly over. In the cold light of day reality has kicked in and the scale and complicated nature of Hearts’ predicament is truly frightening.

The Club owes £25 million to two of Romanov’s other companies – UBIG and Ukio Bankas, both of which went into liquidation last month, thus bringing the financial woes at Tynecastle to a head. Hearts also owe an undisclosed amount to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, having only partially paid an outstanding tax demand for £50 million, and last week the club’s players and staff found that their wages and salaries would not be paid on time.

Against this background the entire Hearts squad was put up for sale last week and an appeal went out to fans – unsurprisingly, despite Hearts’ fans undoubted loyalty, season ticket sales have been slow.

So what happens next? There are a number – perhaps as many as four – serious prospective purchasers, but meaningful negotiations have been hampered by the club’s complicated financial setup. What exactly would potential investors be getting for their money – what are the assets, and what potential time bombs may be unearthed within the club’s accounts? Until that becomes clear, it’s unlikely that any bid will be forthcoming.

While fans loyalty has been stretched to the limit they continue to rally to the cause, but they too should think before committing their own hard-earned cash: by donating money are they supporting the survival of and future of the team they love, or are they pouring cash down the drain as lawyers and accountants pick over the carcass of a once great club and argue expensively back and forward between Edinburgh and Vilnius?

While the current situation is bleak, it’s certainly not hopeless and Hearts will surely survive in some form. A fifteen point deduction at the start of the forthcoming season is probably the least of their worries; after all, SPL chiefs will surely at long last restructure the league setup at the end of the season, because the current ‘model’ certainly isn’t working.

For Hibs fans who are revelling in the Jambo’s current plight, I would only ask: what are the games you look forward to most every season, the games that get your pulse racing and your mouth dry with nervous anticipation? No, Kilmarnock or Ross County don’t really do it for me, either. Take away the Edinburgh derbies and the whole season is not quite meaningless, but seriously devalued. Derby games may well be p*sh – and they usually are – but there’s atmosphere and excitement that is lacking at so many other games. So should the unthinkable happen, I for one won’t be gloating.

And for fans of other clubs, beware – given the parlous state of football finances in Scotland, it could well be your lot next.

Good luck, Hearts. Here’s hoping you’ll aye be ‘making your mark’ for a good few years yet.

 By the way, those managers were: John Robertson, Steven Pressley/John McGlynn, George Burley, John McGlynn, Graham Rix, Valdas Ivanauskas, Eduard Malofeyev, Riabouas Eugenijus, Valdas Ivanauskas (again), Anotoly Korobochka, Stephen Frail, Csaba Laszlo, Jim Jeffries, Paulo Sergio, John McGlynn (yes, once again!) and Gary Locke.

Happier Days 2
Happier Days 2

 

 

For one night only: Alice at Craigroyston

Alice1

Craigroyston Community High School will be staging ‘Alice in Wonderland’ TONIGHT at 7pm.

Marie McGarrol, drama worker at Craigroyston Community High School, said: “Craigroyston Community High School’s senior Drama club is putting on a public performance of Alice in Wonderland at the school tonight at 7pm, adult tickets £2, children’s tickets £1.50. The students involved would really appreciate any external support as the school as not seen a performance of this nature for many years. Please could you pass this email on to your colleagues that work in the area”.

For further information contact Craigroyston Community High School:

Telephone:      0131 477 7801
Email:         Admin@craigroyston.edin.sch.uk
Web Address:      www.craigroyston.edin.sch.uk
CCHS