MURDER is the most common form of death amongst young people in some areas of Glasgow, shock statistics show.

MURDER is the most common form of death amongst young people in some areas of Glasgow, shock statistics show.

The murder rate in three areas of the city was more than four times the UK average.

Murder, usually by stabbing, was the most common cause of death among young people aged in their 20s in Easterhouse and among 15 to 19-year-olds in the Calton and Castlemilk districts.

Drug overdoses were most likely to kill teenagers and those aged in their 20s living in other areas of Glasgow, including Milton, Parkhead and Robroyston.

In the rest of Britain, suicide and road accidents were the most common causes of death among young people.

The grim statistics are revealed in a study by researchers at Sheffield and Bristol universities, who analysed data on almost 15million deaths in the UK between 1981 and 2004.

The figures were used to produce a detailed map showing the most common causes of death for each age group in neighbourhoods.

Bill Aitken MSP, the Conservatives' justice spokesman, said the figures were "deeply depressing".

Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, said the statistics were symptomatic of a "dysfunctional" and "broken" society.

He set up the Centre for Social Justice after a visit to Easterhouse.

A recent report by his think tank, which works with community groups to tackle drug addiction and crime, highlighted the extent of violent youth culture in Glasgow.

He said: "These are appalling figures and show how dysfunctional parts of society have become.

"We need to get to these disintegrating families before the children reach three years old."