Police used hand held metal detectors during the scheme

During the Safer Scotland campaign, officers confiscated 17,451 litres of alcohol, which is enough to fill a petrol tanker.

The campaign's anti-knife strategy saw the seizure of about 1,375 knives across the country.

Police used metal detectors to carry out spot checks during the enforcement phase of the project.

Det Ch Supt John Carnochan, head of Strathclyde Police's violence reduction unit, said the scheme was successful.

We need to tackle Scotland's historical propensity for violence at its roots in order to effect attitudinal change Det Ch Supt John Carnochan

He added: "We cannot rest on our laurels. The successes of the past year show that violence will not be tolerated in Scotland, but there is still work to do.

"Knife amnesties and alcohol enforcement campaigns alone are not enough to reduce violence long-term.

"We need to tackle Scotland's historical propensity for violence at its roots in order to effect attitudinal change."

During the holiday season, a weapons initiative was launched in all of Scotland's major airports.

The aim of the campaign was to prevent holidaymakers from bringing back illegal and potentially lethal weapons into Scotland.

The Safer Scotland campaign then embarked on an education phase followed by a crackdown on alcohol, underage drinking and the sale of alcohol to minors during the autumn.

Tough enforcement

Plans are now being developed for the campaign's second year.

Minister for community safety, Fergus Ewing, welcomed the figures. He said: "Too many communities in Scotland, particularly in deprived areas, suffer the consequences and casualties of violence on our streets.

"Tough enforcement will continue but we must be equally focussed on prevention and addressing the underlying causes of violent crime.