THE number of reported knife crime cases dropped 28% over Christmas and New Year compared to the same period last year.

Figures from the Crown Office show knife cases reported to prosecutors fell significantly from 264 between December 1, 2011, and January 4, 2012, to 189 in 2012-13.

The Crown linked the drop to a zero tolerance campaign introduced by Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland ahead of the festive period, which included the warning that offenders could face a maximum of up to four years in prison.

However, anti-knife campaigner John Muir, whose son Damian was stabbed to death in 2007, said he believed the improvement was largely down to policing.

Mr Muir, a founding member of the Inverclyde Anti-knife Group, said: "It's certainly to be welcomed.

"Any indication knife crime is reducing can only be a good thing and I think a lot of that has to do with stop and searches and an increased police presence on the streets. That's certainly our experience in Inverclyde.

"The police are really putting a lot into knife crime and over the festive period they seemed to be out 24/7, which was very reassuring.

"The local community is also doing its bit.

"The only people who seem to be letting us down are the courts when people convicted of knife crime are freed on bail or given far too lenient sentences.

"They introduced a higher maximum tariff but no-one ever gets the maximum so what's the point of it? It doesn't make sense."

Under the zero tolerance campaign Mr Mulholland issued a warning that anyone caught with a knife would be prosecuted before a sheriff and jury.

This would result in an increase in maximum sentencing from one year to four years.

The Lord Advocate said: "The significant reduction is very encouraging.

"The impact on the numbers of cases is positive in that there is a decrease in the knife crime offences being reported.

"Although there is no tangible proof I believe that, due to the significant reduction in knife crime for the last festive period, lives will have been saved."

The figures, which also show a 43% reduction in knife crime between the festive period of 2006-07 and 2012-2013, have been welcomed by the Scottish Government and the Violence reduction Unit.

Karyn McCluskey, director of the unit, said: "Any decrease in violence is to be welcomed.

"Violent crime is at its lowest level for 30 years.

"That's due to the good work being done by police and justice services across the country, and also to the preventative work being carried out through projects like Medics Against Violence, No Knives Better Lives and the campus officers scheme."