Our first look at the overall picture this year is certainly encouraging.

Basically, our great city is less dangerous than before – knife crime is down by a third and serious assaults and violent robberies have been halved.

It's a far cry from the Glasgow's one-time reputation as the murder capital of Europe.

Much of the improvement is down to radical and robust policing methods – including increased stop-and-search and a crackdown on domestic abuse – introduced by former Chief Constable Steve House who is now heading up Scotland's single police force.

Of course, the police are the first to point out that there is no room for complacency. And they are correct, but people in Glasgow now feel safer than they have done for many years and that has to be welcomed.

As we continue our series next week, we will examine just how crime affects each of our communities. And, armed with that information, we can all – along with the police and social services – continue to build on the good work already done to ensure that we cast off once and for all our No Mean City reputation.