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Crime and justice in Shetland Islands

Council area

North Scotland. 22,710 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 1,469 square kilometres, the 4th most sparsely populated council in the UK.

6 layers about crime and justice for Shetland Islands, 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 Shetland Islands.

Is Shetland Islands safe? What police records show

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Shetland Islands was 20.3 per 1,000 people.

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

Police recorded 470 crimes in Shetland Islands in 2025/26, 20.3 per 1,000 people.

In 2025/26, the highest rates by type were for crimes of violence (6.1 per 1,000 people), damage and reckless behaviour (4.4 per 1,000 people) and sexual crimes (3.1 per 1,000 people).

In 2024/25, the recorded crime rate in Shetland Islands was 17.9 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
20.3 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Shetland Islands was 20.3 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
64% lower56.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Recorded crime rate (Scotland): Shetland Islands 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. Shetland Islands is 20.3 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes (Scotland)

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

Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of damage and reckless behaviour in Shetland Islands was 4.4 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
36% lower6.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland): Shetland Islands 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. Shetland Islands is 4.4 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of dishonesty in Shetland Islands was 3.1 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
85% lower21.3 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland): Shetland Islands 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. Shetland Islands is 3.1 per 1,000.

Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of sexual crimes in Shetland Islands was 3.1 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
3% higher3.0 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland): Shetland Islands 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. Shetland Islands is 3.1 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of violence in Shetland Islands was 6.1 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
55% lower13.6 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland): Shetland Islands 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. Shetland Islands is 6.1 per 1,000.