Recorded Crime in Scotland: November 2020

Summary

The number of crimes recorded by the police in Scotland was 1% higher in November 2020 than in November 2019, increasing from 20,087 to 20,331.

Over the same time period:

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were 10% lower (decreasing from 822 to 738 crimes).
• Sexual crimes were 9% lower (decreasing from 1,211 to 1,105 crimes).
• Crimes of dishonesty were 5% lower (reducing from 8,875 to 8,411 crimes).
• Fire-raising, vandalism etc. were 3% lower (reducing from 4,024 to 3,904 crimes).
• Other crimes were 20% higher (increasing from 5,155 to 6,173 crimes).
• More crimes were recorded by the police in 22 (69%) out of 32 local authorities.

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland was 2% higher in November 2020 than in November 2019, increasing from 20,135 to 20,443.

Over the same time period:

• Miscellaneous offences were 3% lower (decreasing from 10,361 to 10,047).
• Motor vehicle offences were 6% higher (increasing from 9,774 to 10,396).

Overall, the number of crimes recorded by the police between April and November 2020 was 6% lower than the same period in 2019. In April 2020 recorded crime was 18% lower than April 2019. For the most recent month - November 2020 - recorded crime was 1% higher than in November 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.