Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2021-2022

Damage and reckless behaviour

The introduction of the new crime grouping structure sees a change of name for the previous ‘Fire-raising, Vandalism etc.’ group to Damage and reckless behaviour. Beyond this, the only other change was the splitting of the Vandalism etc. category into two new categories: Vandalism and Reckless conduct.

Damage and reckless behaviour accounted for 15% of all crime recorded in Scotland in 2021-22. Between 2020-21 and 2021-22, the number of crimes of Damage and reckless behaviour recorded by the police increased by 3%, from 42,964 to 44,284. The recording of these crimes is at the second lowest level seen since 1976.

Chart 11 shows the number of crimes of Damage and reckless behaviour from 1971 onwards. These crimes increased for a long period, but a sharp downward trend started after they peaked in 2006-07 (129,734 crimes). This includes a 26% fall over the last ten years since 2012-13.

The national rate of recorded crimes of Damage and reckless behaviour was 81 per 10,000 population in 2021-22, a slight increase from 79 per 10,000 population in 2020-21.

In 2021-22, of all crimes of Damage and reckless conduct:

• Vandalism accounted for the clear majority, at 87%
• Reckless conduct accounted for 7%
• Fire-raising accounted for 6%

Charts 12 shows the categories which make up Damage and reckless behaviour, over the past ten years. The chart clearly shows the difference in scale of recorded crimes of Vandalism compared to Reckless conduct and Fire-raising.

The following sections discuss in more detail trends for each crime category comprised in the Damage and reckless behaviour crime group. These are:

• Damage and reckless behaviour
  • Vandalism
  • Reckless conduct
  • Fire-raising

Vandalism

Vandalism accounted for 87% of Damage and reckless behaviour. Over the ten year period from 2012-13 to 2021-22 this crime has seen a decrease of 28%. There was a 3% increase in the most recent year, from 37,288 in 2020-21 to 38,404 in 2021-22.

The Vandalism category includes crimes recorded under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (causing damage). There were 40 such crimes recorded in 2021-22, down from 72 in 2020-21.

Reckless conduct

Reckless conduct accounted for 7% of Damage and reckless behaviour. Over the ten year period from 2012-13 to 2021-22 this category has seen an increase of 21% in the number of crimes recorded. This includes a 6% increase in the most recent year, from 3,096 in 2020-21 to 3,285 in 2021-22.

Fire-raising

Fire-raising accounted for 6% of Damage and reckless behaviour. Over the ten year period from 2012-13 to 2021-22 this category has seen a decrease of 15%. There was a slight 1% increase in the most recent year, from 2,580 crimes in 2020-21 to 2,595 in 2021-22.

Data comparisons: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) publish annual Fire and Rescue Incident Official Statistics, covering the number of fires attended. The latest figures available are for 2020-21.

It is not possible to make direct comparisons between the two sources, as many fires are caused accidentally rather than as a result of a crime, and the police are not called to all deliberate fires. Furthermore, not all police recorded crimes of fire-raising may result in the attendance of the SFRS. However, as these sources both relate to how Scotland’s emergency services respond to fires, it would be anticipated that both should show similar trends over time.

A total of 25,147 fires were attended by the SFRS in 2020-21, up 3% on the previous year. Over half (58%) were started deliberately. Between 2011-12 and 2020-21, there has been a 22% decrease in the total number of fires attended and a 28% decrease in the number of deliberate fires.

This data is one year older than that for recorded crime presented in this bulletin, therefore direct comparisons are not possible. However, it does suggest that the overall reduction in police recorded crimes of fire-raising over the past ten years has also been broadly reflected in statistics from the SFRS.