THE number arrested and charged as a result of Crimestoppers in Scotland has dropped by 7.3 per cent.
The charity says 367 people were arrested and charged, 35 guns, knives and ammunition were removed and £223,000 in drugs was seized in 2014/15.
The previous year there were 396 arrested and charged with drugs with a street value of £960,600 seized.
The charity revealed it passed on more than 10,160 public calls to Police Scotland and other authorities in 2014/15 - a drop of nearly four per cent on the previous year Crimestoppers say the drop is indicative of a drop in recorded crime.
In the year to the end of March 2015 there was a fall of five per cent in the number of crimes recorded by Police Scotland.
The total of 256,350 recorded crimes is the lowest since 1974 but sexual crimes were up by 11 per cent, to their highest level since 1971.
The figures emerged as Crimestoppers launched a campaignurging people to contact the charity anonymously about crime in local communities.
It's YOUR call aims to highlight the difference a call can make to people living in areas where crime can be a problem.
Angela Parker, national manager for Crimestoppers in Scotland, said: "For various reasons, people may not want to speak to the police or law enforcement, so independent charity Crimestoppers can pass on information to protect callers' identities.
"Our message to Scotland's communities is that you can do something about it, you can prevent crime, so let's make your area safer together."
A van with a 13ft digital screen will tour Glasgow and Edinburgh, including areas such as Govanhill, Possil, the Gorbals and Craigmillar as part of the new campaign.
Thirty telephone boxes will also be branded with the Crimestoppers call to action.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: "Scotland is getting safer with recorded crime in Scotland down 5% in 2014-15 to the lowest level in 41 years.
"My vision is of a flourishing, optimistic Scotland in which resilient communities, families and individuals live safe from crime, disorder, danger and harm.
"For that to happen we need to spread the message that if you see or suspect a crime being carried out, pick up the phone - don't ignore it or hope someone else reports it.
"Whether it is someone breaking into a house or someone being attacked, we all have a responsibility to report that crime.
"Crimestoppers play an important role by helping people do just that. By contacting Crimestoppers individuals help prevent, detect and solve crime."
People can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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