A SIGNIFICANT drop in levels of serious violent crime in East Renfrewshire has been welcomed by Barrhead’s MSP.

Latest figures show that serious assault and attempted murder cases in East Renfrewshire fell by 63 per cent between 2008/09 and 2017/18.

Across Scotland as a whole, such crimes are down by 38 per cent over the same period.

Welcoming the statistics, Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur said: “These new figures are encouraging and reflect a significant reduction in violence in our communities – yet more proof that the Scottish Government’s evidence-based approach to justice and rehabilitation is working.

“The fall in violent crime also coincides with a rise in police numbers since the SNP came to power – in contrast to England and Wales, where police numbers have fallen by almost 20,000.”

Mr Arthur added: “It’s vital that we build on this progress. The SNP in government will continue investing in crime prevention initiatives and working with police and others to further understand and reduce violence wherever it persists.”