CASUALTY doctors in Scotland are masking the true extent of violent crime across the country by failing to report 80% of stabbings and 40% of gun crimes to police, according to a new report.

Researchers found doctors in 20 accident and emergency departments across Scotland reported 21% of crimes involving knives and 63% of crimes involving firearms.

Doctors responding to the survey, carried out by Stewart Maxwell, deputy health spokesman for the SNP, said they did not report many incidents to the authorities for fear of breaching patient confidentiality guidelines. Other reasons include time pressures, overwork, and patients acting aggressively.

Maxwell, who plans to table an amendment to the police bill to make it mandatory for doctors to report offences in which someone has been harmed by an offensive weapon, said: “The results from the survey are extremely disturbing. It shows the official records underestimate violent crime by up to 79%.”

Peter Wilson, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said he was not in favour of making reporting of offensive weapons’ injuries mandatory as it could put off some people from seeking medical help.

“I do think there still has to be an element of discretion,” he added.

Scotland last year topped a United Nations league table of the most violent countries in the developed world.

Times Recommends

• Donor organ allowed child’s own heart to heal
• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating