Homicides in Scotland continue downward trend despite slight increase

Homicides in Scotland increased by ten per cent in the past year but was still the third lowest number since records began in 1976, according to latest figures.

Oct 30, 2024
By Paul Jacques

Scotland’s Chief Statistician said the number of homicide victims has shown a “downward trend” since 2004/05.

“In 2023/24, there were 57 victims of homicide, five more than in 2022/23. Despite this increase, the number of homicide victims in 2023/24 was the third lowest since comparable records began in 1976 – and lower than all years from that point to 2020/21 inclusive,” said Ally McAlpine.

His latest statistics show that over the latest ten-year period from 2014/15 to 2023/24, the number of victims fell by ten per cent (six victims) from 63 to 57.

Over the latest 20-year period from 2004/05 to 2023/24, the number of homicide victims in Scotland fell by 58 per cent (or 80 victims) from 137 to 57.

The greatest reduction in homicide victims over the past 20 years has been among young people aged 16-24. In the five years between 2004/05 to 2008/09 there were 125 victims in this age range. This dropped to 29 across the latest five years from 2019/20 to 2023/24.

Of the 57 victims recorded by Police Scotland in 2023/24, 77 per cent (44) were male and 23 per cent (13) were female.

In 2023/24, 85 persons were accused of homicide, of which 81 per cent (69) were male and 19 per cent (16) were female.

For all the 57 homicide victims recorded in 2023/24, the associated case was solved by Police Scotland.

The figures show that for each of the last 20 years, the most common method of killing was with a sharp instrument. In 2023/24, a sharp instrument was the main method of killing for 49 per cent (or 28) of homicide victims.

The majority (64 per cent) of male victims in 2023-24 were killed by an acquaintance (28 of 44 male victims). Female victims were most likely to be killed by a partner or ex-partner (38 per cent, or five of 13 female victims).

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