Recorded Crime in Scotland: year ending September 2022

Summary

The police in Scotland recorded 287,374 crimes in the year ending September 2022. This was 3% lower than the 297,712 crimes recorded in the year ending September 2021, and 4% lower than the 298,780 crimes recorded in the year ending September 2018.

It should be noted that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and associated measures to limit social contact, had an impact on both the type and volume of crime recorded since March 2020. Most recently, the 3% fall in recorded crime between the year ending September 2021 and year ending September 2022 was driven by a reduction in crimes recorded under Coronavirus related legislation (from 19,861 to 36). All other crimes collectively increased by 3%.

As highlighted above, the 2021-22 (or year ending March 2022) National Statistics bulletin provides further time series analysis over the longer term (back to 1971). The recording of crime for the year ending September 2022 is at one of the lowest levels seen for a 12-month period since 1974.

In the year ending September 2022:

• Non-sexual crimes of violence were 8% higher compared to the year ending September 2021 (increasing from 64,147 to 69,353 crimes), and 5% higher compared to the year ending September 2018 (increasing from 66,352 to 69,353 crimes).
• Sexual crimes were 6% higher compared to the year ending September 2021 (increasing from 14,052 to 14,838 crimes), and 10% higher compared to the year ending September 2018 (increasing from 13,506 to 14,838 crimes).
• Crimes of dishonesty were 12% higher compared to the year ending September 2021 (increasing from 89,385 to 100,246 crimes), but 10% lower compared to the year ending September 2018 (decreasing from 111,792 to 100,246 crimes).
• Damage and reckless behaviour was 1% higher compared to the year ending September 2021 (increasing from 43,831 to 44,428 crimes), but 10% lower compared to the year ending September 2018 (decreasing from 49,251 to 44,428 crimes).
• Crimes against society were 12% lower compared to the year ending September 2021 (decreasing from 66,436 to 58,473 crimes), but 1% higher compared to the year ending September 2018 (increasing from 57,879 to 58,473 crimes).
• Coronavirus restrictions were almost 100% lower compared to the year ending September 2021 (decreasing from 19,861 to 36). As noted above, the legislation used to record these crimes was introduced in March 2020.

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland in the year ending September 2022 was 172,657. This is 7% lower than the 185,863 offences recorded in the year ending September 2021, and 9% lower than the 189,566 offences recorded in the year ending September 2018.

• Antisocial offences were 4% lower compared to the year ending September 2021 (decreasing from 55,517 to 53,032 offences), and 13% lower compared to the year ending September 2018 (decreasing from 61,063 to 53,032 offences).
• Miscellaneous offences were 2% lower compared to the year ending September 2021 (decreasing from 13,118 to 12,797 offences), but 18% higher compared to the year ending September 2018 (increasing from 10,886 to 12,797 offences).
• Road traffic offences were 9% lower compared to the year ending September 2021 (decreasing from 117,228 to 106,828 offences), and 9% lower compared to the year ending September 2018 (decreasing from 117,617 to 106,828 offences).