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.

The number of recorded violent crimes has risen by 10 per cent, according to new figures from Police Scotland. The force said it detected 4,817 more offences in 2018-19 compared to 2017-18; the equivalent of 90 extra crimes a week.

In October 2018, one year after it was initially proposed by John Finnie MSP, the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill reached the Equalities and Human Rights Committee of the Scottish Parliament, which is leading the scrutiny of the Bill.

A new report has revealed that crimes of handling of offensive weapons fell by more than two thirds in Scotland over the last decade. 

New statistics published by the Scottish Government and Crown Office on hate crimes reported in 2017/18 have suggested more people are coming forward to report these incidents.