Scotland sees small uptick in recorded crime

The Recorded Crime in Scotland 2022-23 National Statistics present a stable picture with violent crime recorded by officers down one per cent on the previous year with 1,161 fewer cases of damage and reckless behaviour.

Crimes of dishonesty – such as theft, shoplifting and housebreaking – are at their third lowest level since 1971. The statistics show a 13 per cent fall in crimes overall over the last 10 years – 42,277 fewer than in 2013-14.

Sexual crimes decreased three per cent over the last year.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “These figures show Scotland continues to be a safe place to live with recorded crime remaining at one of the lowest levels seen since 1974. These latest figures show reductions in crimes such as violence and damage and reckless behaviour.

“While most people do not experience crime, we recognise the impact caused to those who do. These figures show, while significant progress is being made, there is more we need to do to reduce the harm caused by crime.

“That is why we are taking robust action to tackle sexual offending in particular, while investing £93 million over the past five years to ensure that victims’ rights and needs are at the centre of the criminal justice system. We also recently launched a violence prevention strategy and are supporting Police Scotland with £1.45 billion investment in 2023-24.

“These continued low levels of crime are testimony to the efforts across policing, justice and community safety partners to deliver a safer Scotland for everyone.”