7% rise in crime in Scotland

Latest figures from Chief Statistician show rise in crimes recorded, and in most categories of crime. 

Newly released figures for Recorded Crime in Scotland, covering the year to the end of June 2026, show a 7% rise in crimes recorded by police. For the year 2025-26, the figure was 323,531 recorded crimes; for 2024-25, it was 303,343.  

The new figure is also 13% higher than the 285,975 crimes recorded in 2021-22. 

These newly published figures also show rises in many different categories of crime: 

• Non-sexual crimes have risen by 7% since last year (from 71,915 to 77,005 reported crimes), and by 10% since 2021-22 (when the figure was 70,157). 

• Sexual crimes have risen by 9% since last year (from 15,129 to 16,560 reported crimes), and by 11% since 2021-22 (when the figure was 14,880). 

• So-called crimes of dishonesty have risen by 10% since last year (from 112,421 to 123,906 reported crimes), and by 27% since 2021-22 (when the figure was 97,207). 

• Crimes against society have risen by 5% since last year (from 64,953 to 68,098 reported crimes), and by 15% since 2021-22 (when the figure was 59,180). 

• The number of offences recorded by police in Scotland rose by 3% since last year (from 184,331 to 190,335), and by 8% since 2021-22 (when the figure was 176,960). 

There is some positive news among the figures: figures for damage and reckless behaviour have fallen by 2% since last year (from 38,925 to 37,962 reported crimes), and by 15% since 2021-22 (when the figure was 44,455). 

These figures will obviously be of concern to Scottish ministers, but the report provides only the statistics, and does not offer any explanation as to why rates or recorded crime have continued to increase – or what the remedies might be. 

You can read the full statistical release, Recorded Crime in Scotland: year ending June 2026. 

Photo: Marco Rickhoff / Unsplash