The number of homicides in Glasgow has dropped dramatically in the last decade, according to new figures.

The city still has the highest rate in Scotland but has seen murders almost halved in ten years.

In Glasgow in 2021/22 there were 10 homicides, the latest Scottish Government statistics show.

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In 2012/13 the number was 19, showing a fall of 47%. The drop is larger than the overall reduction seen across Scotland as a whole.

In Scotland, there were 53 homicides - down from 63 a decade ago, a fall of 16%.

Across the country, there were 37 men killed and 16 women.

Of the women, 56% were killed by a partner or ex-partner.

There were 63 people accused of homicide - 61 were male and two were female.

After Glasgow, with 10 cases, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian were next highest with five in 2021/22.

Victims were most likely to be killed in a residential property.

Most were with a knife or sharp instrument and few with a gun.

In the last year, 25, or 47% of homicide victims, were killed with a sharp instrument, with 88% of those cases involving a knife.

Just under a fifth (17%) were killed by kicking and hitting, and 2% were killed by a firearm.

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A total of 70% of homicides this year happened in a residential setting, with 25% occurring in a public place outdoors, and 6% in a public place indoors.

Justice secretary Keith Brown said the number of women killed by a partner or ex-partner was a concern that needs to be tackled with more justice measures.

He said: "Scotland continues to be a safe place to live and this latest reduction in homicides is in line with the significant downward trend seen in other categories of violent crime over the past 15 years.

“However, every death caused by homicide is a tragedy that leaves grieving families and friends in its wake, which is why tackling all forms of violent crime continues to be a top priority for this government.

“We are continuing to make considerable investment in supporting prevention work with people of all ages and ensuring Scotland’s law enforcement agencies and courts have the resources to deal with those who harm others.

“In recognition of the fact that more than half of female victims were killed by a partner or ex-partner, we are working on additional measures which will help prevent and reduce the number of homicides related to domestic abuse and give a voice to those who have been killed.”