Crime and justice in Scotland
NationOne of the four nations of the United Kingdom. 5,545,500 people in 78,801 square kilometres.
6 layers about crime and justice for Scotland, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Crimes by council
Recorded crimes and offences in Scotland · 2025/26
Scotland’s 32 councils range from 470 in Shetland Islands to 55,193 in Glasgow.
Is Scotland safe? What police records show
In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Scotland was 56.9 per 1,000 people.
Police recorded 315,357 crimes in Scotland in 2025/26, 56.9 per 1,000 people.
In 2025/26, the highest rates by type were for crimes of dishonesty (21.3 per 1,000 people), crimes of violence (13.6 per 1,000 people) and damage and reckless behaviour (6.9 per 1,000 people).
In 2024/25, the recorded crime rate in Scotland was 53.9 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)
NationScotland onlyIn 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Scotland was 56.9 per 1,000 people.
Recorded crimes (Scotland)
NationScotland onlyRecorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland)
NationScotland onlyIn 2025/26, the recorded rate of damage and reckless behaviour in Scotland was 6.9 per 1,000 people.
Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland)
NationScotland onlyIn 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of dishonesty in Scotland was 21.3 per 1,000 people.
Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland)
NationScotland onlyIn 2025/26, the recorded rate of sexual crimes in Scotland was 3.0 per 1,000 people.
Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland)
NationScotland onlyIn 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of violence in Scotland was 13.6 per 1,000 people.