The study of more than 16,000 people revealed more people believe crime levels are either the same or decreasing in their local communities as compared to previous years and there has been a general decrease in the fear of crime.

However, the statistics also revealed a 4% increase in crime in the past two years and showed that violence increased from 272,000 incidents in 05/06 to 315,000 in 08/09.

The study also revealed that 58% of victims believed offenders were under the influence of alcohol at the time, as compared to 47% in England and Wales.

Robert Brown, the Liberal Democrat Justice spokesman, called for ministers to clampdown on Scotland’s culture of drink-fuelled violence.

“We must focus on tackling the reasons why people choose to carry a knife or drink themselves stupid in the first place if we are ever to make a real impact on these figures.

“It is tackling these root causes that must be the priority and not the hollow, headline-grabbing policies of Labour and the Tories on these issues.

“This means alcohol was a factor in 185,600 violent crimes last year. This is even more concerning when combined with the 31,200 cases of knife crime.

“Scotland’s violent culture of alcohol-fuelled crime is simply unacceptable.”

The Scottish Crime and Justice 2008-09 findings were based on a sample of 16,003 adults who were asked about their experience and opinion of crime in the past year.

They showed a marked difference between the fear of crime and the likelihood of becoming a victim.

About one million crimes were apparently committed across the country – affecting one in five people – but only 38% of these were reported to police.

The wide-ranging, 211-page report found discrepancies still exist between the perception of crime and actual risk and that more Scots fear bank fraud and identity theft than violence.

Fifteen times as many people believed they were likely to be mugged or robbed, compared with the actual number of people official figures suggest may be victim to such crimes.

Some 56% of adults worried that someone would use their credit or bank details to steal their cash or buy goods, and 51% worried that their identity would be stolen.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “We are beginning to turn the corner in our battle against crime and antisocial behaviour in Scotland.

“Recorded crime is at its lowest level in nearly 30 years, we have a record number of police officers patrolling our streets, and it is encouraging to see the majority of people in Scotland now feel safer in their communities than in previous years.

“We are working harder than ever before, tackling the booze and blade culture that still blights far too many communities, taking on the dealers who peddle misery and despair on the streets, and bringing down the Mr Bigs who pull the strings of serious and organised crime.”

Richard Baker, Labour’s justice spokesman, said: “People are seeing an increase in assault, violence and robbery and despite Mr MacAskill’s protestations this survey makes it clear that crime is up 4% overall.

“This survey looks beyond recorded crime figures into the level of crime which is unreported, and shows the SNP are failing on crime and disorder.

“Mr MacAskill is failing to persuade the law-abiding, hard-

working majority that he knows how to tackle crime, and the opposition to his dangerous plans to scrap prison sentences for offenders including people guilty of assault and knife crimes shows he’s completely out of touch with communities across Scotland.”