Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland: Monitoring Framework, 2025
Monitoring framework to support the delivery of the Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland.
Part of
Monitoring Framework Overview
Outcome category 1: Reducing the prevalence and incidence of violence
Indicator theme 1: Reduction in all forms of interpersonal violence.
Proxy measure 1.1: Number of recorded crimes of Non-sexual violence. Source: Police Recorded Crime
Proxy measure 1.2: Number of recorded Sexual crimes. Source: Police Recorded Crime.
Proxy measure 1.3: Proportion of adults experiencing violent crime. Source: Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS).
Latest status:
In 2023-24, most (97%) adults in Scotland did not experience violent crime. Between 2008-09 and 2021-22, there was a long-term fall in violent crime victimisation from 4.1% to 1.7% of adults. This increased to 2.9% in 2023-24, however the chances of being a victim of a violent crime are at a similar level to the pre-covid position in 2019-20.
The number of Non-sexual violent crimes recorded by the police has been gradually increasing since 2014-15 (from 65,701 to 71,170 in 2024-25) but has been on a downward trend over the longer term and is 18% lower than in 2008-09. Conversely, Sexual crimes recorded by the police has increased over the longer term - showing significant increases between 2010-11 and 2024-25 (from 6,696 to 14,892 crimes respectively) - and in 2024-25 is at the second highest level seen since 1971.
Indicator theme 2: Reduction in Common assault.
Proxy measure 2.1: Number of recorded crimes of Common assault. Source: Police Recorded Crime.
Latest status:
Common assault makes up the majority of Non-sexual crimes of violence recorded by the police (83% in 2024-25); it has been at a similar level since 2012-13 (except for a covid-related low in 2020-21) and is 20% lower than in 2008-09.
In 2024-25 two thirds (66%) of Common assaults recorded were without injury.
Indicator theme 3: Reduction in Serious assault and attempted murder.
Proxy measure 3.1: Number of recorded crimes of Serious assault and attempted murder. Source: Police Recorded Crime.
Latest status:
Serious assault and attempted murder decreased by 25% between 2015-16[10] and 2024-25 and has been on a downward trend since 2018-19.
Emergency hospital admissions for assault/ assault with a sharp object (indicator 9) – have also seen long term reductions over the same period.
Indicator theme 4: Reduction in repeat violent victimisation.
Proxy measure 4.1: Proportion of adults experiencing two or more incidents of violent crime within the previous year. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
The majority (61%) of violent crime is experienced by repeat victims; the proportion of repeat victims has decreased since 2008-09 (from 1.6% to 0.9% in 2023-24) but has not changed significantly in recent years.
Indicator theme 5: Reduction in violence in the evening economy.
Proxy measure 5.1 Proportion of violent crime occurring after 6 p.m. Source: SCJS.
Proxy measure 5.2 Proportion of violent crime occurring at the weekend. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
Between 2008-09 and 2023-24 the proportion of violent crime occurring at the weekend has decreased from 55% in 2008-09 to 37% in 2023-24. Over this same time period, violence occurring in locations commonly associated with the evening economy[11] also fell (from 18% to 9%).
The proportion of violent crime occurring after 6pm is at a similar level to 2008-09.
Indicator theme 6: Reduction in violence in community settings.
Proxy measure 6.1 Proportion of violent crime occurring in public places. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
Violent crime in public places[12] (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 23% in 2008-09 to 48% in 2023-24.)
Indicator theme 7: Reduction in violence involving drugs and/or alcohol.
Proxy measure 7.1 Proportion of violent crime where the offender was perceived to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
Since 2008-09 the proportion of violent crime involving drugs has risen (from 29% to 45% in 2023-24), while the proportion of violent crime involving alcohol has fallen (from 63% to 35% in 2023-24).
Indicator theme 8: Reduction in violence involving weapons.
Proxy measure 8.1 Proportion of violent crime involving the presence of a weapon. Source: SCJS.
Proxy measure 8.2 Number of recorded crime of Handling an offensive weapon used in other criminal activity [13]. Source: Police Recorded Crime.
Proxy measure 8.3 Number of recorded crimes of Having in a public place an article with a blade or point used in other criminal activity. Source: Police Recorded Crime.
Latest status:
Since 2017-18 all three measures of violence involving weapons have been on an upward trend, however over the same time period, and over the longer term, hospital admissions for assault with a sharp object (indicator 9) have reduced.
Following a downward trend between 2010-11 and 2017-18 – falling from one in four (25%) to one in eight (12%) over this period – the proportion of violent crimes perceived to involve a weapon has since increased to its current level (of 29%) which is similar to that in 2008-09 (28%).
Recorded crimes of Handling an offensive weapon used in other criminal activity have been on an upward trend and have increased by 62% between 2017-18 and 2024-25 (from 4,163 to 6,744 crimes respectively).
Recorded crimes of Having in a public place an article with a blade or sharp point used in other criminal activity have been on an upward trend and have increased by 33% between 2017-18 and 2024-25 (from 1,598 to 2,125 crimes).
Outcome category 2: Reducing violence-related harm
Indicator theme 9: Reduction in serious physical injury from violence.
Proxy measure 9.1 Emergency hospital admissions as a result of assault (total and by sharp object). Source: Unintentional Injuries in Scotland.
Latest status:
There has been a reduction in emergency hospital admissions due to assault and assault with a sharp object over the longer term. Between 2008-09 and 2024-25, the number of emergency hospital admissions due to assault fell by 71% (from 5,285 to 1,554) and admissions due to assault with a sharp object fell by 73% (from 1,414 to 376).
Indicator theme 10: Reduction in emotional and psychological harm from violence.
Proxy measure 10.1 Proportion of adults reporting an emotional impact from violence. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
The proportion of victims of violence reporting a loss of confidence or feeling vulnerable as a result of violence has been on an upward trend since 2008-09, increasing from 13% to 38% in 2023-24.
Indicator theme 11: Reduction in homicides.
Proxy measure 11.1 Number of victims of homicide. Source: Homicide in Scotland.
Latest status:
The number of recorded victims of homicide in Scotland has fallen by 55% since 2008-09 and in 2024-25 is the lowest number of victims (45) since comparable records began in 1976.
Indicator theme 12: Reduction in weapon carrying for self-defence.
Proxy measure 12.1 Proportion of adults carrying some means of self-defence/ a weapon to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
In 2023-24, very few (2%) adults in Scotland carried some means of self-defence/a weapon to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime. Numbers have been low across the time series [14].
Indicator theme 13: Increased feelings of safety in communities.
Proxy measure 13.1 Proportion of adults who said they felt ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ safe walking alone in their local area after dark. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
The majority (75%) of adults in Scotland feel safe walking alone in their local area after dark; this is higher than the 2008-09 baseline position (66%) but has been at a similar level since 2016-17.
Indicator theme 14: Reduction in fear of violence in communities.
Proxy measure 14.1 Proportion of adults worried about being physically assaulted or attacked in the street. Source: SCJS.
Proxy measure 14.2 Proportion of adults who thought knife carrying was common in their local area. Source: SCJS.
Latest status:
The majority of adults in Scotland were not worried about being physically assaulted or attacked in the street. In 2023-24 concern about this is at the lowest level since 2008-09 (15% compared to 31% respectively).
The perceived prevalence of people carrying knives is on a downward trend since 2008-09 (13% said this was ‘very’ or ‘fairly common’ in 2023-24 compared to 22% in 2008-09).
[10] The baseline for this indicator is chosen to align with changes to the guidelines on the interpretation of Serious assault, introduced in January 2015, which may have resulted in some crimes that would previously have been recorded as Common assaults falling into the category of Serious assault (see recorded crime user guide for further details)
[11] The SCJS locations included were: In/around a pub/bar/nightclub/working men’s club.
[12] For the purposes of analysis, ‘public space’ includes where SCJS 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.
[13] In 2017-18, the Scottish Crime Recording Board made a procedural change to how some crimes of Handling an offensive weapon were recorded. This had an impact on the comparability of the recorded crime statistics before and after this point. The baseline year for this indicator theme acknowledges this recording change.
[14] Baseline year aligned to first year question was asked in SCJS.
Contact
Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot