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Crime and justice in Scottish Borders

Council area

South east Scotland. 116,800 people in 4,739 square kilometres, the 7th most sparsely populated council in the UK.

6 layers about crime and justice for Scottish Borders, 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 Scottish Borders.

Is Scottish Borders safe? What police records show

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Scottish Borders was 40.9 per 1,000 people.

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

Police recorded 4,779 crimes in Scottish Borders in 2025/26, 40.9 per 1,000 people.

In 2025/26, the highest rates by type were for crimes of dishonesty (12.8 per 1,000 people), crimes of violence (12.0 per 1,000 people) and damage and reckless behaviour (6.3 per 1,000 people).

In 2024/25, the recorded crime rate in Scottish Borders was 38.9 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)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Scottish Borders was 40.9 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): Scottish Borders 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. Scottish Borders is 40.9 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
4,779
Scottish Government · 2025/26
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes (Scotland): Scottish Borders among every council32 areas from 470 to 55,193. The middle area is 6,365. Scottish Borders is 4,779.

Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of damage and reckless behaviour in Scottish Borders was 6.3 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
9% lower6.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland): Scottish Borders 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. Scottish Borders is 6.3 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of dishonesty in Scottish Borders was 12.8 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
40% lower21.3 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland): Scottish Borders 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. Scottish Borders is 12.8 per 1,000.

Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of sexual crimes in Scottish Borders was 2.7 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
10% lower3.0 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland): Scottish Borders 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. Scottish Borders is 2.7 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of violence in Scottish Borders was 12.0 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
12% lower13.6 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland): Scottish Borders 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. Scottish Borders is 12.0 per 1,000.