Recorded Crime in Scotland: December 2021

Summary

The police in Scotland recorded 16,823 crimes in December 2021. This was 8% lower than the 18,229 crimes recorded in the same month of 2020 (when pandemic restrictions were in place) and 12% lower than the 19,209 crimes recorded in the same month of 2019 (for which there was no pandemic or restrictions on movement).

In December 2021:

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were 5% higher compared to December 2020 (increasing from 698 to 734 crimes), and 2% higher compared to December 2019 (increasing from 723 to 734 crimes).
• Sexual crimes were 22% higher compared to December 2020 (increasing from 885 to 1,084 crimes), and 12% higher compared to December 2019 (increasing from 968 to 1,084 crimes).
• Crimes of dishonesty were 1% lower compared to December 2020 (decreasing from 7,767 to 7,686 crimes), and 10% lower than in December 2019 (decreasing from 8,502 to 7,686 crimes).
• Fire-raising, vandalism etc. was 11% lower compared to December 2020 (decreasing from 3,605 to 3,202 crimes), and 19% lower than in December 2019 (decreasing from 3,930 to 3,202 crimes).
• Other crimes were 22% lower compared to December 2020 (decreasing from 5,274 to 4,117 crimes), and 19% lower than in December 2019 (decreasing from 5,086 to 4,117 crimes).
• Fewer crimes were recorded by police in 23 (72%) out of 32 local authorities, compared to December 2020.

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland in December 2021 was 16,756. This is 9% lower than the 18,374 offences recorded in the same month of 2020 (when pandemic restrictions were in place) and 19% lower than the 20,597 offences recorded in the same month of 2019 (for which there was no pandemic or restrictions on movement).

In December 2021:

• Miscellaneous offences decreased by 3% compared to December 2020 (decreasing from 9,382 to 9,090), and were 17% lower compared to December 2019 (decreasing from 10,938 to 9,090).
• Motor vehicle offences were 15% lower compared to December 2020 (decreasing from 8,992 to 7,666), and 21% lower compared to December 2019 (decreasing from 9,659 to 7,666).

As outlined above, the annual Recorded Crime in Scotland bulletin remains the primary source of information on crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland, including longer-term analysis of changes to each of the crime and offence groups detailed above.