Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland: Monitoring Framework, 2025
Monitoring framework to support the delivery of the Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland.
Part of
6. Reduction in violence in community settings
The VPF action plan is focused on – but not limited to – preventing violence in non-domestic, community settings. The WHO definition of community violence includes violence perpetrated by both strangers and acquaintances.
6.1 Proportion of violent crime occurring in public places[34]
Figure 12: Violent crime in public places (excluding victims’ workplaces) shows a long-term fall from 45% in 2008-09 to 27% by 2023-24, while Violent crime at the victim’s workplace has steadily increased over time.
Proportion of violent crime occurring in public places, Scotland, 2008-09 to 2023-24.
Source: Scottish Government - Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2023/24.
The SCJS shows that violent crime in public places (including the victim’s place of work) is higher in 2023-24 (75%) than in 2008-09 (67%). While Violent crime in public places (excluding victims’ workplaces) shows a long-term fall, from 45% in 2008-09 to 27% by 2023-24, violent crime at the victim’s workplace has steadily increased over time, from less than one in four (23%) in 2008-09, to almost half (48%) in 2023-24.
In the 2023-24 SCJS, incidents where the perpetrator was under 16 and took place at the victim’s workplace, accounted for 23% of all violent crime. This is a change from previous surveys – 5% for both 2019-20 and 2021-22. The number of victims interviewed is too small to provide a further breakdown, but it appears these workplace-based violent crimes with perpetrators under 16 are mainly against workers in education or care roles. Being based on a relatively small number, this may fluctuate year-on-year depending on who happens to be interviewed, therefore this result should be treated with some caution and compared with other available statistics, for example changes over time in the Behaviour in Scottish schools: research report 2023 showed that all staff types in the survey [headteachers/ teachers/ support staff] reported increases in physical aggression and physical violence in both primary and secondary settings between 2016 and 2023.
[34] For the purposes of analysis, SCJS definition of ‘public space’ includes where respondents selected a violent incident had occurred: in your local neighbourhood; on public transport; at a bus, tram/subway station, ferry terminal or in a taxi queue; at your place of work; at sporting events; at marches or parade; in or around your place of worship; another public place, inside e.g. pub, club, restaurant or shops; another public place, outside e.g., park, cycle path, street.
Contact
Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot