Violent crime in Scotland has risen by more than one-third to reach record levels, according to figures released yesterday.
Minor assaults against members of the public increased by 35% in two years, taking the risk of being a victim of so-called personal crime to a new high.
The trend pushed the overall crime rate up by 13% with just over one million offences estimated to have been committed nationwide between April 2005 and March 2006.
Findings revealed a lack of faith in police, with nearly two-thirds of all crimes (63%) going unreported because victims thought there was no point.
They also showed a growing fear of alcohol-fuelled crime with around half of all victims (45%) and two-thirds of minor assault victims (67%) who felt able to comment on causes blaming drink for the offenders' behaviour.
The findings in the latest Scottish Crime and Victimisation Survey (SCVS) came the day after the Scottish Government pledged an extra £1m to combat the country's booze and blades culture.
Victim support workers said the report was worrying and highlighted the need for more funding for initiatives to help instill public confidence in the legal system.
Opposition politicians renewed calls for the SNP to honour an election pledge to put 1000 more police officers on the streets - something the government said it was working towards.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill pledged to give victims a greater voice through initiatives such as victim statement schemes, giving people a chance to influence sentencing by letting them explain the impact of crime in court before sentencing.
Victim Support Scotland (VSS), which is largely government-funded and has helped set up three pilot victim statement schemes, welcomed proposals to extend them but warned more action and cash was needed.
David McKenna, VSS chief executive, said: "Every crime has a victim and the only way to help these victims through initiatives like the victim statement scheme is to invest in organisations like VSS.
"The government has to address current funding levels and we are setting up a national fundraising committee next month to address the issues."
Bill Aitken, Tory justice spokesman, said the under-reporting of crime "indicates a loss of public confidence in the police and justice system generally".
He called for increased numbers of police officers and a more robust approach to sentencing persistent offenders."
The survey, last conducted in 2004, was based on interviews with 5000 people who were asked to recall any crimes against them between April 2005 and March 2006.
Responding to the findings, Mr MacAskill said: "There will be understandable concern that many crimes go unreported. We are committed to a visible police presence that deters crime and responds to local community needs."
He pointed out that "root-and-branch reforms" of the justice system was under way.
Men and women in their late teens or early 20s were at greatest risk of becoming a victim of crime.
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