Crime in Scotland fell by one per cent last year

However, overall, most crime types were significantly higher than the year ending December 2020.

Latest figures from Scotland’s Chief Statistician the year ending December 2024 show that police in Scotland recorded 298,308 crimes. This was one per cent lower than the 302,076 crimes recorded in the previous 12 months, but one per cent higher than the 296,263 crimes recorded in the year ending December 2020.

While non-sexual crimes of violence were two per cent lower compared with the year ending December 2023 (decreasing from 71,900 to 70,637 crimes), the number was ten per cent higher compared with the year ending December 2020 (increasing from 63,938 to 70,637 crimes).

Sexual crimes were two per cent lower compared with the previous 12 months (decreasing from 14,894 to 14,539 crimes), but 11 per cent higher compared with the year ending December 2020 (increasing from 13,106 to 14,539 crimes).

And while crimes of dishonesty were less than one per cent lower compared with the year ending December 2023 (decreasing from 111,682 to 111,265 crimes), this was 16 per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2020 (increasing from 96,286 to 111,265 crimes).

Damage and reckless behaviour was seven per cent lower compared with the year ending December 2023 (down from 42,124 to 39,249 crimes), and 12 per cent lower compared with the year ending December 2020 (decreasing from 44,419 to 39,249 crimes).

Crimes against society were two per cent higher compared with the year ending December 2023 (increasing from 61,476 to 62,618 crimes), but ten per cent lower compared with the year ending December 2020 (decreasing from 69,241 to 62,618 crimes).

The number of offences recorded by Police Scotland was 177,172. This is one per cent lower than the 179,616 offences recorded in the year ending December 2023, and six per cent lower than the 187,752 offences recorded in the year ending December 2020.