NEW crime figures show that violent crime across the country rose over the past year "Violent crimes up amid fall in overall crime rate", The Herald, September 7).

While this may be the case nationally, it is important to stress that the national picture is not reflected across the Strathclyde Police area.

Since we began the Campaign against Violence following the arrival of Chief Constable Stephen House in 2007, we have had a fairly dramatic impact on violence in our area. Over the course of the campaign, the number of violent incidents has fallen by around a quarter. At the same time, our detection rate for violent crime has risen by almost a third.

This does not mean we have cracked the problem. There is still too much violence and too many people still think that it is acceptable to settle a problem with their fists, a knife or other weapon. However, the approach that we have taken is making a difference. We have increased the number of targeted “stop and searches” in the areas that traditionally suffered from violence, we have undertaken groundbreaking work on domestic violence and gangs and we have increased the number of officers working in community teams.

People want to know about crime in their own local area. We are proud of the work we are doing to keep people safe and believe that our statistics underline why more e people are telling us that they are happy with the job that we are doing.

As we move towards the creation of the new national force, it is important that we ensure that statistics that are produced not only give a national picture, but also allow people to understand the situation more locally.

Campbell Corrigan,

Assistant Chief Constable, Strathclyde Police, 173 Pitt Street, Glasgow.

I NOTE that is being said that a 50% income tax rate is hurting the economy. If I were paying 50% tax, it would mean I was earning more than £150,000. It would not hurt me at all.

Douglas Blaney,

12 South Scott Street, Glasgow.