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Publication - Statistics

Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland: Monitoring Framework, 2025

Published
16 December 2025
From
Minister for Victims and Community Safety, +1 more … Director of Safer Communities
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order

Monitoring framework to support the delivery of the Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland.

Part of

Supporting documents

7. Reduction in violence involving drugs and/or alcohol

Evidence has previously highlighted a clear link between alcohol and interpersonal violence – particularly within the context of the evening economy – as well as the potential impact of changing drug trends on violence in Scotland.[35] Recent qualitative research on repeat violent victimisation in Scotland found drugs and alcohol featured prominently in participant’s accounts with connections commonly made between poverty, violence and the drug economy, and alcohol, violence and the night-time economy. Drug use and alcohol use were understood both as drivers of repeat violence as well as a means of coping with the impacts of violence and trauma.

The VPF looks to understand the key drivers of violence and to target support at those at greatest risk of violence, including those experiencing problems with drug and alcohol use. This indicator theme helps to monitor changes in trends in alcohol and drugs-related violence.

7.1 Proportion of violent crime where the offender was perceived to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Figure 13: Since 2008-09 the proportion of violent crime involving drugs has risen, while the proportion of violent crime involving alcohol has fallen.

Proportion of violent crime where the offender was perceived to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Scotland, 2008-09 to 2023-24.

Line chart showing the proportion of violent crime where the offender was perceived to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol between 2008-09 and 2023-24. The proportion of violent crime involving drugs increased from 29% to 45%, the proportion involving alcohol decreased from 63% to 35%, and the proportion involving neither drugs nor alcohol increased from 24% to 38%.

Source: Scottish Government - Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2023/24.

Where the victims of violent crime were able to say something about the offender in the 2023-24 SCJS, they believed that: 45% of offenders were under the influence of drugs (either in isolation or alongside alcohol), and 35% of offenders were under the influence of alcohol (either in isolation or alongside drugs). Almost a third (31%) were believed to be under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.

The proportion of violent crime involving drugs has risen since 2008-09: from 29% to 45%; while the proportion involving drugs only has risen from 5% to 15%. The proportion of violent crime involving alcohol has fallen since 2008-09: from 63% to 35%. This is even more significant for violent crime involving alcohol only: which has fallen from 39% to 4%. The proportion of violent crime involving neither alcohol or drugs has risen since 2008-09, from 24% to 38%.

 

[35] See VPF Evidence Supplement section on Involvement of alcohol and drugs in violent crime.

Contact

Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot

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