Mixed picture emerges as Government claims 40-year crime low

An overall fall in the number of crimes recorded by the police in Scotland in 2013-14 reveals a more mixed picture when categories of offending are examined, according to official figures published today.

Covering the first year of the Police Scotland national force, Recorded Crime in Scotland 2013-14 shows that the total number of crimes recorded was down by 1%, with 270,397 crimes recorded in 2013-14, compared to the 2012-13 figure of 273,053 recorded in 2012-13. Hailed by Scottish ministers as a 40 year low, the bulletin nevertheless reveals rises in a number of areas.

In particular, sexual crimes increased by 12%, from 7,693 to 8,604. However, although the bulletin records that sexual crimes have been on an upwards trend since 2008‑09, it states that this increase is likely to be due to an increase in reporting, including reporting of historic crimes – according to Police Scotland, around half the increase is accounted for by complaints of incidents that took place more than 12 months previously. The clearup rate for this group also increased by 8 percentage points, to stand at 76%.

Crimes of dishonesty also rose, by 1% from 135,899 to 137,324, though it is also stated that the trend has been downwards since a peak in 1991.

Other recorded crimes, including drug crimes and crimes against public justice, were 1% up, from 62,452 to 63,266.

The principal falls were in non-sexual crimes of violence, down 10% from 7,530 to 6,785, and fireraising, vandalism etc, down 9% from 59,479 to 54,418. These crimes peaked in 2006-07 and have been decreasing sharply since then. Homicides were down from 65 to 61, but deaths by dangerous or careless driving rose from 19 to 37, following a decrease the previous year.

The clearup rate for all recorded crimes increased by one percentage point, to 52% per cent, the highest since 1976, the first year for which comparable rates are available.

In addition, police recorded 501,821 offences in 2013-14 – breaches of the common law or statute law that are regarded as less serious, including common assault, breach of the peace and motor vehicle offences. Scottish Government statisticians advise that the figure of 543,768 for 2012-13 is not directly comparable due to changes in the way the data is collated.

Commenting on the figures, Cabinet Secretary designate for Justice Michael Matheson said: “These strong statistics are backed by over 1,000 extra police officers since 2007, protecting the public and keeping communities safe. It is clear that I am inheriting a strong record of achievement in justice which I am keen to build on in the weeks and months to come." He recognised however that there was "still work to do", particularly in relatiuon to sex crimes.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House commented: “The past two years has seen the biggest structural change to how policing is delivered in more than a generation. These figures demonstrate that our performance has remained strong throughout that period of unprecedented transition."

He added: “We have focused on key areas like tackling anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and rape and sexual crime. We are working hard to tackle acquisitive crime and road safety so we keep people safe on our roads.

“I am confident Police Scotland can continue to work closely with the public, our partners – locally and nationally – and criminal justice partners to drive further improvements in the safety and security of the communities in which we live.”