Recorded crime at one of the lowest levels in 45 years

The number of crimes recorded by police has increased one per cent since 2017/18; from 244,504 offences to 246,480 in 2018/19. Despite this annual rise, the recording of crime throughout Scotland remains at one of the lowest levels seen since 1974. According to the latest bulletin released on Tuesday, the majority of crimes have continued to fall in Scotland over the last 10 years, with the total recorded crime dropping 27 per cent since 2009/10.

Glasgow City accounts for nearly 20% of all recorded crime in Scotland

Of all recorded crime across Scotland during 2018/19, 18 per cent were reported in Glasgow City. However, it’s worth noting that crimes are recorded based on where they occur and not the victims’ home residency. This means that city-based local authorities – such as Glasgow and Edinburgh – will have higher crime numbers due to the daily population (people travelling for work etc) rather than its resident population.

Across Scotland, there were 453 recorded crimes per 10,000 population in 2018/19. Surpassing the national rate was Glasgow City and Edinburgh City with 717 and 604 per 10,000 respectively. On the other hand, the local authority areas with the lowest number of recorded crimes were reported as Na h-Eileanan Siar (143 per 10,000) and the Orkney Islands (163 per 10,000).

More than half of all non-sexual violent crimes are attempted murder and serious assault

The report revealed the number of non-sexual crimes of violence jumped 10 per cent in the last year – from 7,251 to 8,008 – but was down 29 per cent drop on figures recorded in 2009/10.

Non-sexual crimes of violence during 2018/19 were primarily made up of attempted murder and serious assault offences, at 54 per cent. Crimes of Robbery and Other violence accounted for 23 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, while homicide accounted for just one per cent of all non-sexual crimes of violence. Homicide increased four per cent year-on-year, from 98 crimes to 102. According to the data, this was largely due to a rise in driving-related homicides (such as death by dangerous driving), as well as murder.

Fraud victims and perpetrators most likely to be male

The number of reported crimes of dishonesty has remained almost unchanged from last year’s figures, increasing less than one per cent from 114,474 offences to 114,506.

Thirty-seven per cent of all crimes of dishonesty were categorised as Other thefts. This group consists of offences such as theft of pedal cycles and theft from a motor vehicle. Shoplifting made up 29 per cent of all crimes of dishonesty, while housebreaking and crimes of fraud accounted for nine and eight per cent respectively.

In 2018/19, 9,675 crimes of fraud were recorded by the police in Scotland. Bank card fraud was the most recorded type of fraud in the last year, with around 2,880 crimes using this particular method and an average of £120 defrauded for each offence.

According to the findings, victims of fraud were more likely to be male (56 per cent) and have an average age of 48 years old. In cases where details of the perpetrator were available, 70 per cent were found to be male and 30 per cent female, with the average age recorded at 32 years old.

25% of all recorded offences in Scotland are ‘Other crimes’

The report found a year-on-year increase of six per cent for offences labelled as Other Crimes; jumping from 58,970 to 62,422. During 2018/19, Other crimes accounted for one-quarter of all offences recorded throughout Scotland.

Drug crimes accounted for 56 per cent of all Other crimes, while 30 per cent of the total was categorised as offences against public justice. Crimes of handling offensive weapons made up 14 per cent of all Other crimes; of which seven per cent was used in another criminal activity, and seven per cent was not.

Miscellaneous offences drop 5%

Between 2017/18 and 2018/19, the number of miscellaneous offences recorded by police decreased from 137,012 to 130,686. Within this category group, common assault and breach of the peace were the biggest contributors (at 44 per cent and 39 per cent respectively).

The national rate for recorded miscellaneous offences dropped from 253 to 240 crimes per 10,000 in 2018/19. Similar to the sexual offence rates released, the highest rate was found in Glasgow City (372 per 10,000) while the lowest rate was in East Renfrewshire (87 per 10,000).

Expert Legal Advice for Road Traffic Offences

Motor vehicle offences have had a year-on-year decrease of eight per cent and a 60 per cent drop from figures recorded in 2013/14, the latest data reveals. Unlawful use of vehicle – which covers crimes such as driving while disqualified and driving without insurance – was the largest category of this offence group, accounting for 31 per cent of all motor vehicle offences during 2018/19. Twenty-three per cent of all motor offences were speeding, while careless and dangerous driving made up less than 10 per cent of this particular group.

Contact our Criminal Defence Solicitors Glasgow City Centre, Scotland

Whether you have been charged with assault, fraud, a road traffic offence, sexual offence or murder, it is imperative you get the best legal advice and representation available. At Keith J Tuck, our highly qualified solicitors will do everything in their power to ensure the best outcome possible. For more information on how we can help you, get in touch by calling 0141 336 2020 or complete our online enquiry form today.