WENDY WELCOMES VIOLENCE REDUCTION UNIT EXPERTISE FOR PAISLEY

Wendy Alexander MSP says plans to make the expertise of Strathclyde Police’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) available to Strathclyde’s K Division in Paisley will help reduce violent crime across Renfrewshire.

The VRU was established by Strathclyde Police in January last year to reduce knife crime and violent crime. While the VRU is still in the early stages of its work, violent crime statistics collected by the unit from April to September 2005 show significant improvements. Compared to 2004 statistics murder is down almost a quarter, attempted murders are down by 31 per cent and serious assault is down 12 per cent.

Speaking about the announcement Wendy said:

“The announcement that the expertise of the VRU is to be made available to Paisley’s K Division is very good news for Renfrewshire. In the six months the Unit’s success in reducing murders and serious assaults in Glasgow last year speaks for itself.

I am certain that bringing this expertise to Paisley can make a real impact on the levels of violent crime in Renfrewshire in 2006.”