Crime is on the rise in Scotland, figures show

Crime is on the rise in Scotland, the latest figures show.

Data released today reveals an increase of seven per cent across overall offending, with non-sexual violent crime rising to more than 77,000 recorded incidents.

Cases of murder and culpable homicide rose by 40 per cent year-on-year from 35 to 49 incidents, while death by dangerous driving went up by 23 per cent to 48 crimes.

Serious assaults and attempted murders were up by five per cent to 3,069 incidents, while domestic abuse offences rose 19 per cent to 3,264.

Sexual crimes went up by nine per cent, including an eight per cent increase in counts of rape and attempted rape (3,240) and a three per cent rise in sexual assaults (5,281).

In the same category, police recorded an 18 per cent jump in incidents where a person was caused to view sexual activity or images (2,576 crimes) and a 17 per cent increase in indecent communications (1,770).

Meanwhile, incidents associated with prostitution fell by 43 per cent to 69 crimes.

Crimes of dishonesty saw a 10 per cent increase to 123,906 incidents – including a 20 per cent spike in shoplifting – while crimes against society were up by five per cent to 68,098.

Hate aggravated conduct decreased by five per cent to 1,732 offences.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray commented: “While Scotland remains a safe place to live and recorded crime has fallen by almost half since its peak in 1991, I am extremely concerned by the rise in sexual crimes and domestic abuse offences recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. These are abhorrent crimes and, unfortunately, reflect a broader pattern seen across the UK.

“It is encouraging that more victims feel able to come forward and report offences, including historical crimes. Protecting victims and ensuring public safety are at the heart of our justice system, and we have taken action to strengthen confidence in that system by introducing legislation and ensuring that police, prosecutors and courts have the powers they need to bring perpetrators to justice.

“Sexual and domestic abuse crimes are overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and, ultimately, men must change their behaviour. We must root out and tackle the toxic masculinity and gender inequality that leads to violence, harassment, misogyny and abuse against women. We should stand against these behaviours and call them out.

“The first minister has pledged to drive forward change and has met with survivors, frontline organisations and public sector partners to help shape further action. Prevention remains the best route to tackle and challenge attitudes that underpin violence against women and girls. This is why we’re funding initiatives like Rape Crisis Scotland’s national Sexual Violence Prevention Programme and working with partners to implement Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls. Over the next two years, we will invest £43.2m through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, alongside more than £1.7bn for policing.”

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said: “The SNP have weakened deterrence, piled pressure onto our police and repeatedly put the interests of offenders ahead of victims.

“This is what nearly two decades of SNP failure on justice looks like: rising crime, weaker sentences and a justice system that criminals can increasingly take advantage of.

“Scotland deserves better. We need a government that backs victims, backs our police and gets tough on the criminals making our communities less safe.”