Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2023-24

Damage and reckless behaviour

Damage and reckless behaviour accounted for 14% of all crime recorded in Scotland in 2023-24. Between 2022-23 and 2023-24, the number of crimes of Damage and reckless behaviour recorded by the police decreased by 5%, from 43,123 to 41,129. The recording of these crimes is at the lowest level seen since 1976.

Chart 12 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 21% fall over the last ten years since 2014-15.

The national rate of recorded crimes of Damage and reckless behaviour was 75 per 10,000 population in 2023-24, a decrease from 79 per 10,000 population in 2022-23.

In 2023-24, of all crimes of Damage and reckless conduct:

• Vandalism accounted for the clear majority, at 86%
• Reckless conduct accounted for 8%
• Fire-raising accounted for 6%

Chart 13 shows the categories which make up Damage and reckless behaviour, over the past ten years. The chart demonstrates the difference in scale of recorded crimes of Vandalism compared to Reckless conduct and Fire-raising.

Crimes of Damage and reckless behaviour have decreased significantly since 2006-07, returning back to similar levels seen in 1976.

Vandalism has accounted for the largest majority of recorded crimes of Damage and reckless behaviour over the last ten years.

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

• Vandalism
• Reckless conduct
• Fire-raising

Vandalism

Vandalism accounted for 86% of Damage and reckless behaviour. Over the ten year period from 2014-15 to 2023-24 this crime has seen a decrease of 25%. There was a 5% decrease in the most recent year, from 37,204 to 2022-23 to 35,303 in 2023-24.

Reckless conduct

Reckless conduct accounted for 8% of Damage and reckless behaviour. Over the ten year period from 2014-15 to 2023-24 this category has seen an increase of 30% in the number of crimes recorded. There was a 1% increase in the most recent year, from 3,206 in 2022-23 to 3,225 in 2023-24.

Fire-raising

Fire-raising accounted for 6% of Damage and reckless behaviour. Over the ten year period from 2014-15 to 2023-24 this category has seen an 11% increase, remaining relatively stable with between 2,300 and 2,800 crimes each year. There was a 4% decrease in the most recent year, from 2,713 crimes in 2022-23 to 2,601 in 2023-24.

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 2022-23.

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 26,825 fires were attended by the SFRS in 2022-23, down 3.5% on the previous year. Over half (57%) were started deliberately. Between 2013-14 and 2022-23, there has been a 4% decrease in the total number of fires attended and a 4% 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 increase in police recorded crimes of fire-raising over the same ten year period is not reflected in statistics from the SFRS, which show a 4% decrease over the latest 10 year period.