Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland: Monitoring Framework, 2025
Monitoring framework to support the delivery of the Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland.
Part of
11. Reduction in homicides
Beyond its direct impact, homicide can cause enduring harm for the victim’s family, friends and community. Research[46] has found bereavement at an early age, and loss of family/friends throughout the life course – due to homicide, suicide, or accidental drug overdose – to be common in the life histories of repeat victims of violence.
11.1 Number of victims of homicide[47]
Figure 19: The number of victims of homicide in Scotland has fallen by 55% since 2008-09 and is the lowest since comparable records began in 1976.
Total number of victims of homicide, Scotland, 2008-09 to 2024-25.
Source: Scottish Government - Homicide in Scotland 2024-25.
In 2024-25, 45 victims of homicide were recorded, 21% (or 12 victims) less than the 57 victims recorded in 2023-24. This is the lowest number of recorded homicide victims since comparable records began in 1976. Since 2008-09 the number of victims fell by 55% (or 54 victims) from 99 to 45.
In 2024-25 there were 30 male victims (67% of all homicide victims). Since 2023-24, the number of male victims decreased by 14 from 44 to 30, whilst the number of female victims increased by two from 13 to 15. The reduction in victim numbers over the time series has primarily been driven by a reduction in male victims. In 2024-25, the majority (63%) of male victims were killed by an acquaintance (19 of 30 male victims). Female victims were most likely to be killed by a partner or ex-partner (47%, or seven of 15 female victims).There has been a reduction in homicides over the last 20 years across all age groups under 65. The greatest reduction has been amongst victims aged 16 to 24.
[46] Repeat Violence in Scotland: A Qualitative Approach (Scottish Government, 2023d)
Contact
Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot