New figures reveal South Lanarkshire is 'murder capital' of Scotland

Jul 14 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

THE number of murders and culpable homicides in the police force area that covers Hamilton, Blantyre and Larkhall has rocketed by a staggering 366 PER CENT in the past year.

Shocking new figures reveal that there were 14 murders in Q Division in 2010-11, compared to three for the previous 12 months.

That’s equivalent to one murder every month in the South Lanarkshire area.

And in neighbouring North Lanarkshire, there were five murders or culpable homicides in 2010-11, compared to three in 2010-2009.

Only a fortnight ago, a community united in grief after popular foster mum Dawn McKenzie was stabbed to death in her flat in Deveron Crescent, Hillhouse, Hamilton.

In April, young chef Paul ‘PJ’ Douglass was murdered outside a block of flats, bringing the amount of violent deaths in South Lanarkshire to 16 in the past 15 months. Police have made arrests in all incidents.

Blantyre MSP and Scottish Labour Justice spokesman James Kelly (pictured below right) said the shocking rise was disturbing and insisted tougher sentences must be given to people who carry knives.

“We need to end the culture that is claiming too many innocent Scots lives,” he said. “We need to end the perception that it is OK to walk our streets carrying a knife and where kids feel they need a knife for their own protection.

“I certainly support initiatives like ‘Hammer the Knife Thugs’ but I do believe that we must continue to press for tougher action on sentencing, so that those who carry knives are clear that they face the threat of a prison term.”

Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina McKelvie was another who was stunned by the horrifying statistics. She said: “The unprecedented number of lives lost to murder in South Lanarkshire last year has undoubtedly shocked and shaken communities, as well as devastating the families and friends of the victims.

“It is a matter of real concern which I take very seriously.”

McKelvie added: “I don’t think it would be responsible or helpful to attempt to draw broad conclusions from this one set of figures.

“They are highly unusual, not just in the large rise of murders in one year, but also because they buck the trend across Strathclyde – where the number of murders overall has reduced – and within South Lanarkshire itself, where other types of violent crime, such as attempted murder and serious assault, have either gone down or stayed the same.

“That certainly doesn't mean we can be complacent, however. It is clear that prevention of violent crime has to be a major priority in South Lanarkshire, for police, politicians and communities alike.”

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell, who lives in Bothwell, said: “This is a really dramatic increase and deeply worrying – my heart goes out to the victims’ families and friends.

“It is also another wake up call for the Justice Secretary that this alarming and totally unacceptable number of deaths are all happening on his watch.

“This is more proof that Kenny McAskill needs to listen to campaigners and all those who signed the Advertiser’s petition and introduce a presumption in favour of prison sentence for carrying a knife.”

Superintendent Elaine Ferguson, of South Lanarkshire Division, said the murder rate was “unprecedented” and insisted police are working hard to make the area a safe place to live, work and visit. She added: “The number of murders in South Lanarkshire last year was unprecedented for the area, and though it is of no comfort to the families and friends left behind, those responsible have all been arrested and reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

“Action plans which are used to address specific concerns, such as violent crime, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour are commonplace within the area and have been successful in arresting a number of offenders.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said he couldn’t comment on local crime figures but insisted the latest national official figures show that recorded crime is at its lowest level in 32 years.

He said: “Homicide rates are down, violent crime is down, and those convicted of knife offences are now being punished through the longest prison sentences in a decade.

“We are clear that every murder is one too many and there will be no let up in our efforts to tackle violent crime.

“We now have an extra 1000 police officers in Scotland's communities and we have full confidence in our police forces in cracking down on crime.”

lWhat is your views on the latest crime statistics? Do you think politicians, police and communities are doing enough to tackle violent crime? Send us your thoughts to Hamilton Advertiser, Campbell Street, Hamilton, ML3 6AX, or email hamiltonadvertiser@s-un.co.uk.