Officers have been targeting specific crimes

During a three-month campaign, Scotland's police forces have targeted specific offences particularly related to alcohol abuse and the carrying of offensive weapons.

Figures released following that drive have shown that murders fell by almost 44% and attempted murders, serious assaults and robberies were also down.

Overall, there was a 6.5% reduction Scotland-wide.

Sir John Orr, chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers crime standing committee, said he was delighted with the results.

He said: "When the talk in Britain as a whole is of rising crime, I am delighted that I can report to the people of Scotland that crimes of violence have been tackled successfully.

"The first Safer Scotland Campaign has shown the benefit of the eight forces and the British Transport Police coming together, with other partners, sharing intelligence and acting in a series of structured initiatives aimed at making all of our communities safer.

Figures questioned

"The interventionist style of policing that was deployed during the campaign removed nearly 1,000 knives from the streets of Scotland.

"Police officers will continue to enforce their powers of stop and search, but all sections of society must ask: 'What can we do to reverse this culture?'"

But Scottish National Party justice spokeswoman Roseanna Cunningham has asked why resources were not being made available to continue the crackdown if the campaign had been so successful.