Recorded Crime in Scotland: February 2022

Main findings

Crimes recorded by the police

In February 2022, the police recorded 17,236 crimes. This was 8% (or 1,347 crimes) higher than the 15,979 crimes recorded in the same month of 2021 (when pandemic restrictions were in place) but 9% lower than the 18,992 crimes recorded in the same month of 2020 (for which there was no pandemic or restrictions on movement). There were variations in the year-on-year trends between different crime types. However, with the exception of Non-sexual crimes of violence and Sexual crimes, all groups were lower than pre-pandemic levels (February 2020), despite the overall increase (Table 1, Chart 1).

In February 2022:

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were 18% (or 119 crimes) higher compared to February 2021 (increasing from 653 to 772 crimes), and 11% higher compared to February 2020 (increasing from 694 to 772 crimes). Within this, Attempted murder and serious assault increased by 34% compared to February 2021 (from 194 to 259 crimes), but decreased by 12% from February 2020 (from 295 to 259 crimes). Other violence increased by 29% compared to February 2021 (from 198 to 255 crimes) and increased by 101% from February 2020 (from 127 to 255 crimes). The increase since February 2020 is mainly due to a rise in Threats and extortion (from 47 to 140 crimes), with the latest National Statistics bulletin estimating that more than three-quarters (77%) of Threats and extortion recorded in 2020-21 were cyber-crimes. Crimes under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 increased by 7% compared to February 2021 (from 128 to 137 crimes), and were 8% higher than in February 2020 (increasing from 127 to 137 crimes).

Sexual crimes were 25% (or 260 crimes) higher compared to February 2021, increasing from 1,020 to 1,280 crimes, and were 14% (or 156 crimes) higher than in February 2020 (increasing from 1,124 to 1,280 crimes). Sexual assault increased by 35% compared to February 2021 (from 315 to 424 crimes), and increased by 1% compared to February 2020 (increasing from 418 to 424 crimes). The rise in Sexual assault since 2021 was primarily due to an increase in Sexual assault of females, including classifications for adults (aged 16 or older), older children (aged 13-15) and younger children (under 13). Other sexual crimes increased by 20% compared to February 2021 (increasing from 533 to 642 crimes) and increased by 27% compared to February 2020 (increasing from 506 to 642 crimes). The latest National Statistics estimated that two-thirds (66%) of recorded Other sexual crimes were cyber-crimes. Rape and attempted rape increased by 29% compared to February 2021 (from 163 to 211 crimes), and increased by 13% compared to February 2020 (from 186 to 211 crimes).

• Crimes of dishonesty were 17% (or 1,109 crimes) higher compared to February 2021, increasing from 6,405 to 7,514 crimes. This was 15% lower than in February 2020 (decreasing from 8,843 to 7,514 crimes). Shoplifting was the biggest contributor (by volume) to the increase, having risen by 47% compared to February 2021 (from 1,299 to 1,915 crimes), but was 24% lower when compared to February 2020. Crimes of Fraud have been at increased levels throughout the pandemic. Despite a 4% decrease compared to February 2021 (down from 1,592 to 1,536 crimes), there was a 40% increase since February 2020 (from 1,099 to 1,536 crimes). The Changes in levels of recorded fraud section below provides users with further background on what may be contributing to this change.
• Fire-raising, vandalism etc. was 12% (or 361 crimes) higher compared to February 2021, increasing from 3,019 to 3,380 crimes, but was 8% lower than February 2020. Vandalism etc. has risen 14% since February 2021 (increasing from 2,850 to 3,237 crimes). This is 7% lower than February 2020 levels.
• Other crimes were 10% (or 502 crimes) lower than in February 2021, decreasing from 4,882 to 4,380 crimes. This is 6% lower than February 2020 (decreasing from 4,675 to 4,380 crimes). The sole contributor to the decrease from 2021 was Drugs (which fell by 27% compared to February 2021 and 20% compared to February 2020).

Chart: each category shows columns from top to bottom for February 2020, 2021 and 2022

Offences recorded by the police

In February 2022, the police recorded 17,453 offences. This was 14% (or 2,101 offences) higher than the 15,352 offences recorded in the same month in 2021, but 9% lower than in February 2020 (decreasing from 19,222 to 17,453 offences). Miscellaneous offences increased by 23% compared to February 2021, but decreased by 2% compared to February 2020. Motor vehicle offences increased by 4% compared to February 2021, but decreased by 16% compared to February 2020, as detailed below (Table 2).

In February 2022:

• Miscellaneous offences increased by 23% (or 1,766 offences) compared to February 2021 (increasing from 7,540 to 9,306 offences), but decreased by 2% compared to February 2020 (decreasing from 9,528 to 9,306 offences). The largest increase by volume since February 2021 was Common assault, which rose by 36% from 3,180 to 4,319 offences, but was 2% lower than February 2020. All other categories in miscellaneous offences also increased compared to February 2021.
• Motor vehicle offences were 4% (or 335 offences) higher compared to February 2021, increasing from 7,812 to 8,147 offences, but were 16% lower than February 2020 levels. The main contributor to the increase since February 2021 by volume was Other motor vehicle offences (which increased by 36%, from 1,381 to 1,874 offences). The only categories within Motor vehicle offences that increased when compared to February 2020 were Seat belt offences (up 36%), Dangerous and careless driving (up 6%) and Mobile phone offences (up 6%).

Local Authorities

Compared to February 2021, a decrease in recorded crime was seen in 10 (31%) out of 32 local authorities, with 22 showing an increase (Table 3). The largest increase was seen in Moray (up 34%) and the largest decrease was in the Shetland Islands (down 44%). It should be noted that the relatively small number of crimes recorded in some of Scotland's local authorities can fluctuate over time - leading to large percentage changes. This is particularly relevant in this release, where monthly data is being presented rather than the annual information provided in the National Statistics.

The biggest contributors by volume to the overall increase in crimes recorded by the police were Glasgow City (up 13%, or 322 crimes) and Edinburgh City (up 15%, or 238 crimes).

April 2019 to February 2020 and April 2020 to February 2021, compared with April 2021 to February 2022

Overall, in April 2021 to February 2022 the police recorded 205,461 crimes, a reduction of 2% (or 3,893 crimes) compared to April 2020 to February 2021 (209,354 crimes) (Table 4). This was 9% (or 20,098 crimes) lower than April 2019 to February 2020 (225,559 crimes). The biggest drivers of the decrease by volume since April 2020 to February 2021 were Drugs (down 23%, or 7,421 crimes), Crimes against public justice (down 8%, or 1,809 crimes) and Housebreaking (down 14%, or 1,279 crimes). When compared with April 2019 to February 2020, the biggest drivers of the reduction by volume were Shoplifting (down 28%, or 7,886 crimes), Drugs (down 22%, or 6,936 crimes) and Other theft (down 16%, or 6,231 crimes). The largest increase since April 2020 to February 2021 by volume was Shoplifting (up 9%, or 1,749 crimes). Compared with April 2019 to February 2020, the largest increase by volume was Fraud (up 65%, or 6,464 crimes).

The number of offences recorded by the police in April 2021 to February 2022 was <1% (or 583 offences) higher than April 2020 to February 2021, with Miscellaneous offences increasing by 2% (or 1,902 offences) and Motor vehicle offences decreasing by 1% (or 1,319 offences) (Table 5). Compared to April 2019 to February 2020, offences decreased by 8% (or 18,491 offences), with Miscellaneous offences decreasing by 4% (or 4,290 offences) and Motor vehicle offences decreasing by 13% (or 14,201 offences).