Jack McConnell made crime the focus of his address to the Labour Party conference in Glasgow.

The first minister outlined what he considers to be his party's achievements on crime and stated future ambitions if it wins a second term in office after the Holyrood elections.

This included a pledge of more resources to enable the Scottish drugs enforcement agency to expand.

Jack McConnell will meet David Blunkett

"A Labour vote in Scotland on 1 May this year will be a vote for even tougher action against drug dealers and against knives and guns," he told delegates.

"A vote for more resources for the police and for the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and further action to deal with anti-social behaviour."

The conference platform offered the first minister a chance to motivate Scottish party workers before the crucial months of campaigning in March and April.

It also gave him a chance to define some policy distinctions between Labour and its coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, ahead of the May elections.

Mr McConnell is expected to meet Home Secretary David Blunkett over the weekend to discuss a UK-wide approach to tackling gun and knife crime.

International terrorism

In his speech Mr McConnell also raised Iraq and security issues in Scotland.

He said he understood and supported what Prime Minister Tony Blair was trying to achieve.

"In Scotland, we can be in no doubt of the threat we face," he said.

"Scotland is not immune from international terrorism.

Mass demonstration

"We have experienced the impact and the aftermath of Lockerbie and we know of the threat our country faces today from those who seek to gain ground through fear. "

He also accused the Scottish National Party of "playing constitutional games" on the issue.

SNP leader John Swinney was among thousands of people taking part in a mass demonstration against war in Iraq directly outside the conference hall in Glasgow.

He called for the "rush to war" to be halted and said UN weapons inspectors should be given more time to complete their work.