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Crime and justice in Highland

Council area

North west Scotland. 237,260 people in 26,159 square kilometres, the 2nd most sparsely populated council in the UK.

6 layers about crime and justice for Highland, 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 Highland.

Is Highland safe? What police records show

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Highland was 43.0 per 1,000 people.

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

Police recorded 10,202 crimes in Highland in 2025/26, 43.0 per 1,000 people.

In 2025/26, the highest rates by type were for crimes of dishonesty (12.5 per 1,000 people), crimes of violence (11.4 per 1,000 people) and damage and reckless behaviour (5.5 per 1,000 people).

In 2024/25, the recorded crime rate in Highland was 43.2 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
43.0 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Highland was 43.0 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
24% lower56.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Recorded crime rate (Scotland): Highland 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. Highland is 43.0 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
10,202
Scottish Government · 2025/26
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes (Scotland): Highland among every council32 areas from 470 to 55,193. The middle area is 6,365. Highland is 10,202.

Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of damage and reckless behaviour in Highland was 5.5 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
20% lower6.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland): Highland 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. Highland is 5.5 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of dishonesty in Highland was 12.5 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
41% lower21.3 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland): Highland 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. Highland is 12.5 per 1,000.

Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of sexual crimes in Highland was 3.0 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
About the same3.0 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland): Highland 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. Highland is 3.0 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of violence in Highland was 11.4 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
16% lower13.6 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland): Highland 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. Highland is 11.4 per 1,000.