Recorded Crime in Scotland: July 2020

Summary

The number of crimes recorded by the police in Scotland was 7% lower in July 2020 than in July 2019, reducing from 21,839 to 20,401. Over the same time period: 

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were 4% higher (increasing from 794 to 827 crimes).
• Sexual crimes were 8% higher (increasing from 1,117 to 1,203 crimes).
• Crimes of dishonesty were 18% lower (reducing from 10,008 to 8,166 crimes).
• Fire-raising, vandalism etc. was 8% lower (reducing from 4,084 to 3,760 crimes).
• Other crimes were 10% higher (increasing from 5,836 to 6,445 crimes).
• Fewer crimes were recorded by the police in 21 (66%) out of 32 local authorities.

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland was 5% lower in July 2020 than in July 2019, decreasing from 22,644 to 21,607. Over the same time period: 

• Miscellaneous offences were 2% higher (increasing from 11,502 to 11,745).
• Motor vehicle offences were 11% lower (reducing from 11,142 to 9,862).

Overall, the number of crimes recorded by the police between April and July 2020 was 8% lower than the same period in 2019. In April 2020 recorded crime was 18% lower than April 2019. For the most recent month - July 2020 - recorded crime was 7% lower than in July 2019. 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.

It should be noted that the total figure for recorded crime (presented in this summary and throughout the bulletin) excludes the new crimes being recorded under the recently enacted coronavirus legislation. Please see the Crimes recorded under coronavirus legislation section below for more information.