McArthur comments on rise in recorded crime

Responding to the news that Police Scotland reported a 4% increase in crimes in 2023-24, with levels of sexual crime still at their third highest level on record and cyber-crimes more than doubling compared to pre-pandemic, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

“This worrying uptick in crime comes after many years of the SNP failing to invest in the justice system. The thin blue line of Scottish policing has been stretched to breaking point. The decision that some crimes won’t be investigated shows the extent to which community policing has been undermined.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes and communities, but for too many people that’s not the reality today.

“Liberal Democrats would ensure the police have the resources they need to keep people safe, including specialist mental health staff, require the banks to do more to protect people from fraud, and improve cooperation with our European neighbours on tackling cross-border crime.”