Police record slight rise in crime

The recording of crime for the year ending June 2023 remains at one of the lowest levels seen for a 12-month period since 1974.

In the year ending June 2023:

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were one per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2022 (decreasing from 70,156 to 70,136 crimes), but four per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2019 (increasing from 67,407 to 70,136 crimes).
• Sexual crimes were one per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2022 (decreasing from 14,880 to 14,834 crimes), but eight per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2019 (increasing from 13,678 to 14,834 crimes).
• Crimes of dishonesty were seven per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2022 (increasing from 97,207 to 104,495 crimes), but seven per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2019 (decreasing from 112,796 to 104,495 crimes).
• Damage and reckless behaviour was three per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2022 (decreasing from 44,455 to 42,932 crimes), and 11 per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2019 (decreasing from 48,176 to 42,932 crimes).
• Crimes against society were two per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2022 (increasing from 59,180 to 60,305 crimes), but five per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2019 (decreasing from 63,243 to 60,305 crimes).
• Coronavirus restrictions were 100 per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2022 (decreasing from 96 to zero). The legislation used to record these crimes was introduced in March 2020.

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland in the year ending June 2023 was 172,923. This is two per cent lower than the 176,960 offences recorded in the year ending June 2022, and eight per cent lower than the 187,965 offences recorded in the year ending June 2019.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “The safety and security of the public is my top priority, and these statistics show Scotland continues to be a safe place to live.

“These continued low levels of crime are due to the efforts across policing, justice and community safety partners to deliver safer communities and our investment in the justice system. With recorded crime remaining at one of the lowest levels seen since 1974, the latest figures show reductions in crimes such as violence, sexual crimes and damage and reckless behaviour.

“We will continue to focus on crime prevention, reducing reoffending and supporting victims of crime. That is why we are investing £1.45 billion in policing in 2023-24, increasing the resource budget by 6.3 per cent, an additional £80 million, despite difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government austerity and our fixed budget.”