苏格兰犯罪记录下降到39年来的新低

 　　苏格兰犯罪记录下降到39年来的新低

       EDINBURGH, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Recorded crime in Scotland has reached its lowest level since 1974 after a 13 percent year-on-year decrease in 2012 to 2013, official statistics showed on Tuesday.

　　The number of crimes in Scotland fell to 273,053 from April 2012 to March 2013, a drop of just over 41,000, according to statistics published by Scotland's chief statistician.

　　During the same period, violent crime fell by 21 percent year-on-year and crimes of handling offensive weapons are at a 27-year low, said a Scottish government press release.

　　However, the number of sexual offences recorded by police went up by 5 percent, and the figures also show a slight rise in the number of offences including driving and minor¹ alcohol offences at less than 1 percent.

　　Scottish cabinet Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said that statistics show that Scotland's communities are becoming safer places to live, with recorded crime falling for the sixth year in a row to its lowest level for 39 years.

　　He pledged continuous efforts to reduce knife crime and violence in Scotland, with the belief that education and prevention are key to tackling the root causes of violence.

1 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。