Since 2005/06 the data
differ from those previously published because minor Firearms 1968 Act
offences, mainly relating to possession, handling and distribution of
weapons and ammunition, are no longer included in the main statistics.
Better identification of firearms used in offences has meant a decrease
in the Unidentified category and increases in some of the other
categories. Particularly from 2006/07 clarification with police
forces regarding what should be included in the statistical returns is
expected to result in an increase in some of the more minor categories.
See the
Statistical Bulletin.
The Bulletin gives
details of offences from 1996-97 but we also include data from previous
years, although exact comparisons may not be possible.
Of 12 firearms
(excluding air weapons) stolen in Scotland in 2005/06 10 were Shotguns
and 2 were Other Firearms. This is the lowest number of stolen
firearms in the data recorded (from 1996-97).
