VIOLENT crimes have risen in the last year, figures show, fuelled by a boom in threats and extortion.

The number of non-sexual crimes of violence recorded by Police Scotland was 6 per cent higher in July compared to the same month last year, increasing from 827 to 878.

Attempted murder and serious assault increased by 3% but "other violence" soared by 30%.

Scottish Government figures show crimes in this category have rocketed by 68% from July 2019, rising from 130 crimes to 218.

The latest statistical bulletin notes: "The increase in other violence was mainly due to a rise in threats and extortion, with the possibility that many of these crimes were cyber enabled."

It said this will be explored in more depth in a publication in September.

Fraud was 10% lower in July 2021 than in July 2020, but 39% higher than in July 2019.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Jamie Greene said: "The evidence shows that violent crime is continuing to increase under the SNP. 

"Their continued obsession with soft-touch justice and early release is at the heart of this worrying increase.

"This attitude constantly lets criminals off the hook and betrays the victims of crime. 

"That is why the Scottish Conservatives believe that we need to introduce whole life sentences so that the worst criminals are given proper punishment.

"Our hard-working police officers also deserve to be fully supported by SNP ministers to clamp down on violent crime, which is why we will push for a Local Policing Act, to get officers back onto our streets.

"SNP ministers have a duty to keep the public safe and these stats show that they are failing in that responsibility."

Elsewhere, sexual crimes were 4% lower compared to July 2020 (decreasing from 1,203 to 1,158 crimes), but 4% higher than July 2019 (increasing from 1,117 to 1,158 crimes).

Crimes of dishonesty were 3% lower than July 2020 (decreasing from 8,166 to 7,943 crimes), and 21% lower than in July 2019 (decreasing from 10,008 to 7,943).

Crimes such as fire-raising and vandalism remained relatively unchanged compared to last year, but were 8% lower than in July 2019 (decreasing from 4,084 to 3,758).

Other crimes were 17% lower compared to July 2020 (decreasing from 6,445 to 5,355 crimes), and 8% lower than in July 2019 (decreasing from 5,836 to 5,355).

Fewer crimes were recorded by police in 23 (72%) out of 32 local authorities, compared to July 2020.

The Tories also highlighted new figures from the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service showing close to two-thirds of confiscation orders imposed on criminals in 2020/21 are yet to be collected, which is a three-fold increase from the previous year. 

A fifth of fines from 2019/20 are also still in arrears.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Scotland is well served by its police service and we fully appreciate the hard work and dedication shown by officers and staff throughout the pandemic.

"These latest figures show that, while there were variations in the year-on-year trends between different crime types, overall recorded crime was 6% lower in July 2021 compared to the same month the previous year.

"By all main measures crime, including violent crime, is now considerably lower than a decade ago, with fewer victims.

"Despite UK Government austerity we have increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17 and have invested more than £10bn in policing since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013.

"Officers numbers are also favourable relative to elsewhere in the UK with around 32 officers per 10,000 population in Scotland compared to around 23 officers per 10,000 population in England and Wales.”