Figures reveal no change in level of crime since 2014/15

The overall level of crime in Scotland and the likelihood of being a victim have both fallen since 2008/09 – though there has been no change in the level of crime since 2014/15.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2016-17: Main Findings. The figures show that there were an estimated 712,000 crimes in 2016/17, down by around a third (32 per cent) since the 1,045,000 crimes estimated in 2008/09.

Just over two-thirds of crime (68 per cent) was property-related. As in previous years, incidents of vandalism accounted for the largest proportion of property crime incidents (34 per cent), followed by other household theft (including bicycle theft) (27 per cent) and personal theft (26 per cent). The remainder were incidents of motor vehicle related theft ( eight per cent) and housebreaking (five per cent).

Around a third of all crime was violent crime. Consistent with previous SCJS findings, the majority of violent crime incidents in 2016/17 were cases of minor assault resulting in no or negligible injury (72 per cent). Other violent crimes comprised minor assault with injury (13 per cent), serious assault (seven per cent), attempted assault (4 per cent) and robbery (three per cent).

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: ““Scotland’s firm focus on prevention, responsive policing and local partnerships to help individuals and communities keep themselves safe has had a positive impact on long-term crime trends and people’s feeling of safety, with recorded crime at a 43-year low.

“While this progress is cause for encouragement, it will never be an excuse for complacency. As well as continued government investment in policing and funding partners such as Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, Crimestoppers and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, I have commissioned further research into those areas where violence persists.

“A better understanding of the nature and circumstances of violence can help improve how not only the justice system, but wider public services pre-empt and respond to the issue. We must keep identifying those areas where we can most effectively focus our collective efforts to achieve the greatest impact, ensuring all our communities benefit from falling crime.”