There were 20,000 fewer crimes than in the same period last year

There were 417,783 recorded incidents, with the clear-up rate - the number of crimes solved - remaining the same as in the previous year.

Violent crimes were down, but the number of rapes and attempted rapes reached record levels.

Ministers said this was partly because police had been encouraging the reporting of sexual offences.

Crime levels have fallen consistently over the past 15 years.

Sex crimes

As well as the 5% fall in the overall crime rate in 2005-06, there was also a 7% drop in the number of violent crimes, down to 13,726.

There was a 10% drop in the total number of sexual crimes, which went from 7,324 in 2004/05 to 6,588 in 2005/06 - the lowest total for four years.

But within this group the number of recorded cases of rape and attempted rape increased by 5% to 1,161 - the highest total ever.

The number of drugs crimes was also on the increase, rising by 6% to 44,247 in 2005/06.

We now have a clearer picture of crime levels in Scotland and by most measures they are falling Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

The overall fall was welcomed by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson.

She said: "Fewer crimes means fewer victims and recorded crime last year fell to the second lowest figure in a generation - within 1% of the modern low in 2003/04.

"This is despite the new victim-centred reporting standard, which means that the police record reports of more minor crimes that in previous years simply were not logged without corroborating evidence.

"We now have a clearer picture of crime levels in Scotland and by most measures they are falling."

Beat police

Commenting on the 6% drug crime rise, Ms Jamieson said it showed the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and police forces were intercepting more international gangs and seizing more drugs.

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie welcomed the drop in crime but claimed that a lack of a police presence was adding to a lack of confidence in the justice system.

She said: "Increasing the number of police on the beat will not only help deter and detect crime, but will give the public the type of policing they demand and need."

The Scottish National Party highlighted record highs for drugs crime and handling an offensive weapon.

Justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill stressed a Nationalist pledge to put 1,000 more police on the beat.

The Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS) was implemented in April 2004 and was expected to increase the numbers of minor crimes recorded by police.