Fear of crime

Worried about housebreaking: down 7% Worried about robbery: down 9% Worried about assault: down 10% Nearly half of housebreaking attempts were unsuccessful

Between January and May 2000, 5,059 people aged between 16 and 59 were interviewed in their homes. Of these, 424 came from ethnic minority groups.

On violent crime, although the fear factor appears to have fallen, the number of such incidents rose from about 160,000 in 1995 to more than 210,000 in 1999.

It also suggests that the amount of drug misuse fell between the two surveys.

Vulnerable witnesses

Justice Minister Jim Wallace responded: "We have a commitment to placing the victim at the heart of the criminal justice system.

"I recently announced our intention to introduce victims' statements where victims will be given the opportunity to reflect their experience to those who work in the justice system.

Jim Wallace: "Victims' statements"

"We are also seeking views on the recently published consultation on vulnerable witnesses which will ensure greater protection for those giving evidence in court."

The 2000 report findings are being compared with the results of the previous survey in 1996.

Over the four years, the percentage of respondents who said crime was "an extremely serious problem" dropped from 44% to 26%.

Other key findings include:

• The percentage of young people reporting that they had been victims of theft, violence or sexual harassment remained the same between the two surveys

• Levels of anxiety about violent crime have fallen between the surveys

• One quarter of incidents against ethnic minorities were considered by the victims to be racially motivated

• In three-quarters of cases, victims said they had heard of Victim Support.

However, Scottish National Party justice spokeswoman Roseanna Cunningham claimed the statistics were a "rehash" of an announcement made in December 2000.

"What we have therefore is another attempt to pull the wool over the public's eyes," she said.

"It is all very well for the executive to continue to report that the fear of crime is falling.

'More crime'

"However, this does not disguise the fact that reported crime has actually increased since Labour came to power."

And Tory justice spokesman James Douglas Hamilton claimed Mr Wallace was "simply not living in the real world".

He said: "He has presided over a country with more crime and more victims of crime.

"Instead of indulging in self congratulation he should finally take tough concerted action to make our communities safe."