Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25.

Between 2023-24 and 2024-25:

There was little change in crimes recorded by the police in Scotland, decreasing by less than 1%, from 299,790 to 299,111. The recording of crime remains below the position immediately prior to the pandemic (2019-20) and down 51% from its peak in 1991.

There was little change in Non-sexual crimes of violence, decreasing by less than 1%, from 71,473 to 71,170. Common assault (down less than 1%) makes up the clear majority (83%) of all non-sexual crimes of violence recorded in 2024-25.

Sexual crimes increased by 3%, from 14,484 to 14,892. These crimes are now at the second highest level seen since 1971, the first year for which comparable groups are available.

There was little change in Crimes of dishonesty, decreasing by less than 1%, from 111,054 to 110,913. The recording of these crimes is back to the level seen immediately prior to the pandemic (in 2019-20) and down 74% from the peak in 1991.

Damage and reckless behaviour crimes decreased by 6%, from 41,129 to 38,738. The recording of these crimes is now at the lowest level seen since 1976.

Crimes against society increased by 3% from 61,650 to 63,398. Most of these crimes relate to crimes against public justice (42%) or drug possession (32%).

Offences recorded by the police in Scotland collectively increased by 1%, from 174,073 to 175,919. This included increases in Miscellaneous offences (up 1%) and Road traffic offences (up 1%), whilst Antisocial offences changed very little, increasing by less than 1%.

Police recorded cyber-crime in Scotland

This bulletin also includes an estimate of how many cyber-crimes (i.e. crimes committed using the internet) were recorded in Scotland during 2024-25.

In 2024-25, an estimated 14,120 cyber-crimes were recorded by the police in Scotland. This was a decrease of 2,770 crimes (or 16%)  when compared to the estimated volume for 2023-24 (16,890). Levels also remain significantly above the pre-pandemic year of 2019-20 (with 7,710 cyber-crimes).

We estimate that cyber-crimes accounted for at least 5% of total recorded crime in 2024-25, including 27% of Sexual crimes, 7% of Crimes of dishonesty and 3% of Non-sexual crimes of violence.

Official Statistics on Clear up rates

In addition to the Accredited Official Statistics on police recorded crimes and offences, this bulletin also presents Official Statistics on crimes and offences cleared up by the police in 2024-25.

In 2024-25 the clear up rate was 56.0%, up from 54.1% in 2023-24. Crimes against society (93.8%), Non-sexual crimes of violence (68.4%) and Sexual crime (56.9%) continued to have higher clear up rates in 2024-25 than Crimes of dishonesty (35.1%) and Damage and reckless behaviour (31.0%).

Background

1. The full statistical publication can be accessed at: Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25 - gov.scot

2. Contraventions of Scottish criminal law are divided for statistical purposes into crimes and offences. ‘Crime’ is generally used for the more serious criminal acts. The less serious termed ‘offences’, although the term ‘offence’ may also be used in relation to serious breaches of criminal law. The distinction is made only for statistical reporting purposes and the ‘seriousness’ of the offence is generally related to the maximum sentence that can be imposed.

3. Further information on Crime and Justice statistics within Scotland can be accessed at: Crime and justice statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

4. Accredited Official and Official Statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of Official Statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: Statistics and research - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)