Efforts to reduce the number of killings in Scotland last year failed to have an impact, according to statistics.

Justice Minister Jim Wallace said the failure was "a tragic waste of young lives" which had to be tackled effectively.

Statistics showed there were 107 homicide victims recorded by police in 2001, compared to 105 the previous year.

The Scottish Executive said it would liaise with police to cut knife crime, address binge drinking and drug misuse which contribute to violence.

But the opposition parties said it had failed to cut crime and create an effective justice system.

Jim Wallace: "A tragic waste"

Half of all victims were killed by a sharp instrument and 83 were killed by an acquaintance.

In total, 89% of the accused were male, 51% were males aged 16 to 29, and 56% were reported to have been drunk or on drugs.

Of the 140 accused, 31% had no previous convictions - while 16% had over 10 entries in their criminal record.

Mr Wallace said: "The statistics paint a picture we have all seen before and it is a very depressing one.

'Same pattern'

"You have got young men, drunk or on drugs, killing friends or acquaintances with a knife or blade.

"Time and again we witness the same pattern. This is despite concerted police action to curb the carrying of weapons and the sale of alcohol and drugs to young people."

"A continuing upward trend in homicide figures is something which we cannot contemplate," the minister said.

"But be in no doubt, we will continue to do all in our power to protect our communities and individuals."

The knife and gun culture in Scotland is completely unacceptable

Roseanna Cunningham SNP MSP

The Scottish National Party claimed homicide rates had "jumped" by 16% since Labour came to power at Westminster in 1997.

Roseanna Cunningham MSP, the party's justice spokeswoman, said: "The knife and gun culture in Scotland is completely unacceptable and so far the executive has failed to tackle this growing problem."

Scots Tory justice spokesman James Douglas Hamilton said the executive had failed to deliver on its pledge to cut crime.

He said: "Today's news has shown once again that Labour and the Lib Dems are soft on crime, and soft on criminals."

The Tories would reverse this trend and "rebalance" the justice system, he added.