Crime figures drop due to fewer COVID offences
Recorded crime in Scotland for the year ending June 2022 was 5% down on the previous 12 months – but due to a reduction in crimes under the COVID legislation, with other offending up collectively by 2%.
The figures are contained in a new quarterly statistical release on police recorded crime, issued by Scotland's Chief Statistician. They show a total of 285,974 crimes in the 12 months ending 30 June, 5% lower than the 300,747 crimes recorded in the preceding year, and the 301,376 recorded in the year ending June 2018. The figure is the lowest for a 12-month period since 1974.
However the 70,156 non-sexual crimes of violence were 9% higher compared to the year ending June 2021), and 5% up on the 2018 total; and sexual crimes at 14,880 were up 7% and 14% respectively. Crimes of dishonesty (97,207) were 9% higher than 2021 but 15% lower compared to the year to June 2018.
The number of offences (less serious breaches of the law) recorded by police in Scotland in the year ending June 2022 was 176,960, 7% lower than the 189,677 recorded in the year ending June 2021, and 10% lower than the 196,848 offences recorded in the year ending June 2018.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown commented: "We know that Scotland continues to be a safe place to live, where the vast majority of people do not experience crime.
"The latest figures today show recorded crime is at the lowest level seen since 1974, and down 43% since 2006-07. This is welcome as it means that every year there are thousands fewer victims in Scotland than there were 15 years ago.
"But there is more to be done. Continuing to reduce crime and the harm it causes both individuals and our society as a whole is central to our ambitious vision to reform our justice system."