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Crime and justice in Argyll and Bute

Council area

West Scotland. 87,310 people in 7,005 square kilometres, the 3rd most sparsely populated council in the UK.

6 layers about crime and justice for Argyll and Bute, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Crimes by council

Recorded crimes and offences in Scotland · 2025/26

Under 1,00020k or more

Recorded crimes (Scotland) for Argyll and Bute.

Is Argyll and Bute safe? What police records show

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Argyll and Bute was 41.1 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 56.9 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Police recorded 3,606 crimes in Argyll and Bute in 2025/26, 41.1 per 1,000 people.

In 2025/26, the highest rates by type were for crimes of violence (11.9 per 1,000 people), crimes of dishonesty (9.8 per 1,000 people) and damage and reckless behaviour (4.8 per 1,000 people).

In 2024/25, the recorded crime rate in Argyll and Bute was 39.6 per 1,000 people.

Rates are per resident, so places that many people visit or work in, such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, can show higher rates than their residents alone would suggest.

Recorded crime rate (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
41.1 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Argyll and Bute was 41.1 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 56.9 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
28% lower56.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Recorded crime rate (Scotland): Argyll and Bute among every council32 areas from 20.3 per 1,000 to 92.9 per 1,000. The middle area is 50.0 per 1,000. Argyll and Bute is 41.1 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
3,606
Scottish Government · 2025/26
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes (Scotland): Argyll and Bute among every council32 areas from 470 to 55,193. The middle area is 6,365. Argyll and Bute is 3,606.

Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
4.8 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of damage and reckless behaviour in Argyll and Bute was 4.8 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 6.9 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
30% lower6.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland): Argyll and Bute among every council32 areas from 3.4 per 1,000 to 10.9 per 1,000. The middle area is 6.5 per 1,000. Argyll and Bute is 4.8 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
9.8 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of dishonesty in Argyll and Bute was 9.8 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 21.3 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
54% lower21.3 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland): Argyll and Bute among every council32 areas from 3.1 per 1,000 to 43.1 per 1,000. The middle area is 16.7 per 1,000. Argyll and Bute is 9.8 per 1,000.

Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
3.3 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of sexual crimes in Argyll and Bute was 3.3 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 3.0 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
10% higher3.0 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland): Argyll and Bute among every council32 areas from 1.4 per 1,000 to 4.0 per 1,000. The middle area is 2.8 per 1,000. Argyll and Bute is 3.3 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
11.9 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of violence in Argyll and Bute was 11.9 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 13.6 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
13% lower13.6 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland): Argyll and Bute among every council32 areas from 5.9 per 1,000 to 19.6 per 1,000. The middle area is 12.3 per 1,000. Argyll and Bute is 11.9 per 1,000.