Recorded Crime in Scotland: November 2021

Summary

The police in Scotland recorded 18,533 crimes in November 2021. This was 9% lower than the 20,331 crimes recorded in the same month of 2020 (when pandemic restrictions were in place) and 8% lower than the 20,087 crimes recorded in the same month of 2019 (for which there was no pandemic or restrictions on movement).

In November 2021:

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were 30% higher compared to November 2020 (increasing from 738 to 963 crimes), and 17% higher compared to November 2019 (increasing from 822 to 963 crimes).
• Sexual crimes were 23% higher compared to November 2020 (increasing from 1,105 to 1,363 crimes), and 13% higher compared to November 2019 (increasing from 1,211 to 1,363 crimes).
• Crimes of dishonesty were 2% lower compared to November 2020 (decreasing from 8,411 to 8,216 crimes), and 7% lower than in November 2019 (decreasing from 8,875 to 8,216 crimes).
• Fire-raising, vandalism etc. was 3% lower compared to November 2020 (decreasing from 3,904 to 3,805 crimes), and 5% lower than in November 2019 (decreasing from 4,024 to 3,805 crimes).
• Other crimes were 32% lower compared to November 2020 (decreasing from 6,173 to 4,186 crimes), and 19% lower than in November 2019 (decreasing from 5,155 to 4,186 crimes).
• Fewer crimes were recorded by police in 24 (75%) out of 32 local authorities, compared to November 2020.

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland in November 2021 was 17,913. This is 12% lower than the 20,443 offences recorded in the same month of 2020 (when pandemic restrictions were in place) and 11% lower than the 20,135 offences recorded in the same month of 2019 (for which there was no pandemic or restrictions on movement).

In November 2021:

• Miscellaneous offences decreased by 5% compared to November 2020 (decreasing from 10,047 to 9,544), and were 8% lower compared to November 2019 (decreasing from 10,361 to 9,544).
• Motor vehicle offences were 19% lower compared to November 2020 (decreasing from 10,396 to 8,369), and 14% lower compared to November 2019 (decreasing from 9,774 to 8,369).

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.