An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2014-15.
The main findings include:
The number of crimes recorded by the police in Scotland decreased by 5 per cent, from 270,397 in 2013-14 to 256,350 in 2014-15. Recorded crime is at its lowest level since 1974.
The clear up rate for all recorded crimes decreased by 1.1 percentage points, to 50.4 percent. This is the third highest clear up rate recorded since 1976, the first year for which comparable clear up rates are available.
The number of Non-sexual crimes of violence recorded by the police decreased by 6 per cent from 6,785 in 2013-14 to 6,357 in 2014-15.
Sexual crimes have increased by 11 per cent from 8,604 in 2013-14 to 9,557 in 2014-15. The recording of these crimes is at the highest level seen since 1971, though a number will be historic crimes that occurred in earlier years.
Crimes of dishonesty (for example theft, shoplifting and housebreaking) decreased by 8 per cent from 137,324 in 2013-14 to 126,857 crimes in 2014-15. The number of Crimes of dishonesty peaked in 1991 and has been on a downwards trend ever since.
Recorded crimes of Fire-raising, vandalism etc. decreased by 4 per cent from 54,418 in 2013-14 to 52,091 in 2014-15. These crimes have been decreasing sharply since they peaked in 2006-07.
Other recorded crimes, including Drug crimes and Crimes against public justice, decreased by 11 per cent between 2013-14 and 2014-15 from 63,266 to 61,488.
Responding to the publication of recorded crime statistics for 2014/2015 by the Scottish Government today, Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said:
“Police Scotland is absolutely focused on preventing and tackling crime where and when it occurs.
“Local policing remains at the heart of our service and the decreases in crimes of violence, including attempted murders and serious assaults, dishonesty and anti-social behaviour – issues which communities tell us are amongst their greatest concerns – are very welcome.
“Specialist investigation units have been established since the advent of Police Scotland to tackle domestic abuse, rape and child abuse, regardless of whether the crime happened today or many decades ago. These units operate across the length and breadth of the country in support of local policing.
“The reality is that fewer people are becoming victims of crime. The clear-up rate remains high which I believe provides communities with reassurance that where crime does take place, Police Scotland is committed to tracing offenders and reporting them for prosecution.”
