Homicide in Scotland 2017-2018: statistics

Key Points

• Between 2016-17 and 2017-18, the number of homicide cases recorded by the police in Scotland decreased by 5% (three cases) from 62 to 59 (Table 1). This is the joint lowest number of recorded homicide cases for a single twelve month period since 1976, the first year for which comparable data are available.
• Over the ten year period from 2008-09 to 2017-18, the number of homicide cases in Scotland fell by 39% (38 cases) from 97 to 59 (Table 1). Glasgow City accounted for over one third (34%) of this decrease. In 2017-18, almost one fifth (11) of the 59 national recorded homicide cases occurred within Glasgow City (Table 2).
• In 2017-18, 59 victims of homicide were recorded, 9% (six victims) less than the 65 victims recorded in 2016-17 (Table 1). Of the 59 victims, 76% (45) were male (Table 5).
• In 2017-18, 81 persons were accused of homicide and 95% (77) of them were male (Table 6). Of the 59 cases of homicide recorded for 2017-18, 58 were solved and one is currently unsolved (Table 1).
• For each of the last ten years, the most common method of killing was with a sharp instrument (Table 7). In 2017-18, a sharp instrument was the main method of killing for 58% (34) of homicide victims.