By Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

The figure for 2005/06 was the lowest for 15 years - and came after a year when the number of killings was at a 10-year high.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson welcomed the latest figures

Violence has been a part of life in too many of our hard-hit communities for too long.

As well as the injuries and loss of life to those involved, violent crime can leave a devastating impact on the wider community.

As a parent, I know only too well the fear which violence can cause. I used to worry about my son when he left the house in case someone attacked him, just because he was from a different part of town. I know I'm not alone

That's why we must challenge the idea that it is normal or acceptable for any young men to carry knives.

Today, we are publishing new figures for the most violent of crimes. These show that up to March this year, homicides have decreased by almost a third compared to 2004/05, fatal stabbings have decreased by more than half, and the number of people killed or injured by firearms has fallen by nearly 40%.

Welcome news for the law-abiding public, particularly on the back of figures in September which showed that violent crime more generally is at its lowest level since devolution.

However, I know that it will take more than one year of encouraging figures before we can say that we have turned the tide on violence in Scotland.

Enforcement campaigns

Each homicide represents a life cut short. Family and friends left without a loved one.

Tackling violence requires sustained, long-term efforts - the kind of approach we are taking in partnership with the Violence Reduction Unit, police and other agencies.

Already this year, we have launched several national Safer Scotland campaigns, beginning with the knives amnesty and followed by two enforcement campaigns. More than 12,500 weapons were taken off the street in the amnesty, another 1,000 weapons during the first enforcement period.

Record numbers of police officers are using 1,000 new handheld metal detectors, paid for by the Scottish Executive, to conduct searches.

The question is whether as a society we believe respect is earned by the way we live our lives - or whether it is by what we carry in our pocket

And they are backed by the lord advocate's new guidance on prosecuting knife crime, where anyone caught with a knife now faces being arrested and kept in custody until their court appearance.

We have also toughened the law on knives, doubling the maximum penalty for those caught with a knife in public, giving the police improved powers of arrest for anyone suspected of carrying a knife, and increasing the minimum age for buying a non-domestic knife.

And we are now legislating for further restrictions on non-domestic knives and a general ban on the sale of swords.

Nevertheless, enforcement cannot alone provide the solution. Our new campaign, Knives - Let's Not Scar Another Generation, calls on everyone - parents, family members, girlfriends and friends - to persuade knife carriers that carrying one can never be acceptable or normal.

Whether young men carry a knife in the mistaken belief that it's for their own protection or to look like a hard man doesn't matter.

If you carry a knife, you intend to use it and you may be responsible for someone else's injury or death.

Homicides in Scotland fell last year to their lowest level since 1990-91.

Less violent

New figures released today show there was a 32% fall in the number of homicide victims up to March this year, compared with 2004-5.

And our campaign tries to get across that, if you won't listen to the authorities, then listen to the people that you do care about.

Crime in Scotland is falling and Scotland is becoming a less violent place.

The question is whether as a society we believe respect is earned by the way we live our lives - or whether it is by what we carry in our pocket.