There has been a sharp fall in the number of weapon offences being committed across West Dunbartonshire, according to new figures.

The Scottish Government statistics showed that in 2007/08 there were 32 cases of handling offensive weapons per 10,000 of the population in the local authority.

This figure fell to nine cases per 10,000 in 2016/17, a drop of 72 per cent.

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson said the numbers backed up UK justice minister Rory Stewart’s comments that the rest of the country “has a lot to learn from Scotland”.

He also claimed that the statistics prove SNP efforts to tackle issues such as knife crime have worked.

Mr Paterson said: “This is good news. It proves that the SNP’s approach to issues such as knife crime is getting positive results for the people of Clydebank.

“The 55 per cent drop in weapons offences across West Dunbartonshire since 2007 is thanks to the SNP government’s approach to justice and the well-supported police in our community who work hard to make sure everyone can enjoy living here more safely.

“This sharp drop in weapons offences contrasts sharply with the trend south of the border – it is no wonder that the Tory UK government have acknowledged that they have ‘a lot to learn from Scotland' and are looking to Scotland for answers on how to tackle crime.

“The SNP has made justice one of its top priorities since coming to power in 2007 – putting more police on the streets and taking decisive action to reduce reoffending, meaning crime is at its lowest level in over 40 years and our communities are the safest they’ve ever been.”