Recorded Crime in Scotland: July 2021

Summary

The police in Scotland recorded 19,092 crimes in July 2021. This was 6% lower than the 20,401 crimes recorded in the same month of 2020 (when pandemic restrictions were in place) and 13% lower than the 21,839 crimes recorded in the same month of 2019 (for which there was no pandemic or restrictions on movement).

In July 2021:

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were 6% higher compared to July 2020 (increasing from 827 to 878 crimes), and 11% higher compared to July 2019 (increasing from 794 to 878 crimes).
• Sexual crimes were 4% lower compared to July 2020 (decreasing from 1,203 to 1,158 crimes), but 4% higher than July 2019 (increasing from 1,117 to 1,158 crimes).
• Crimes of dishonesty were 3% lower than July 2020 (decreasing from 8,166 to 7,943 crimes), and 21% lower than in July 2019 (decreasing from 10,008 to 7,943).
• Fire-raising, vandalism etc. remained relatively unchanged compared to July 2020 (decreasing from 3,760 to 3,758 crimes), but was 8% lower than in July 2019 (decreasing from 4,084 to 3,758).
• Other crimes were 17% lower compared to July 2020 (decreasing from 6,445 to 5,355 crimes), and 8% lower than in July 2019 (decreasing from 5,836 to 5,355).
• Fewer crimes were recorded by police in 23 (72%) out of 32 local authorities, compared to July 2020.

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland in July 2021 was 20,968. This is 3% lower than the 21,607 offences recorded in the same month of 2020 (when pandemic restrictions were in place) and 7% lower than the 22,644 offences recorded in the same month of 2019 (for which there was no pandemic or restrictions on movement).

In July 2021:

• Miscellaneous offences decreased by 2% compared to July 2020 (decreasing from 11,745 to 11,484), and remained relatively unchanged compared to July 2019 (decreasing from 11,502 to 11,484).
• Motor vehicle offences were 4% lower compared to July 2020 (decreasing from 9,862 to 9,484), and 15% lower compared to July 2019 (decreasing from 11,142 to 9,484).

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.