Scots feel less safe in their own homes than before

One in five Scots feel less safe in their houses than they did a decade ago, despite crime levels being at a record low.

A nationwide poll for The Sunday Post also discovered just 8% feel safer in their homes than they did in 2004.

Two in five don’t think police are doing enough to tackle housebreakings.

And more than half are convinced that’s because officers aren’t given enough resources to seriously tackle the scourge.

The poll of 1,000 people also found an overwhelming 56% believes anyone convicted of housebreaking should be jailed automatically.

Last night politicians demanded police prioritise the “life-changing” crimes.

Tory chief whip John Lamont said: “The problem is, the very people who routinely commit these crimes are being slapped on the wrist and dodging jail terms.

“That does nothing to deter them, and if anything emboldens them for another crack at somebody else’s property.

“Housebreaking has to be made an absolute priority, because it is an offence that for the victim can be life-changing for all the wrong reasons.”

Our damning poll was commissioned after a number of high-profile cases where thieves escaped justice.Last year, William Hamilton was spared jail despite breaking into a house, slashing the owner’s face and threatening to kill him and his wife.

The teenage hoodlum was just given community service for his appalling crimes, with social workers praising his “positive” behaviour.

Dundee man Alister Lamb also escaped jail despite admitting to various housebreakings. The thief was eventually jailed in 2012 after completing just one hour of community service and appearing on ITV’s The Jeremy Kyle show instead of doing the unpaid work.

Former top cop and Labour’s justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said: “Break-ins can be a huge confidence-buster for householders and extremely distressing. While we often see police launching high-profile campaigns on seat-belts, drink-driving and domestic abuse you rarely see any mention of housebreaking.”

Our survey flies in the face of official statistics. A poll carried out by the Scottish Government last month claimed Scottish communities have never felt safer.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Crime in Scotland is at an almost 40-year low, backed by the 1,000 extra police officers delivered by this Scottish Government in the face of tough Westminster cuts.”

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson, pictured, said public confidence in policing is on the rise.

He added: “Police Scotland set up Operation RAC to provide a targeted response to tackle housebreaking and we will continue to dedicate the necessary resources toward addressing the issue.”