The number of homicides across Scotland has fallen by 20 cases (25 per cent) since 2009/10. There were 61 victims of homicide recorded in 2018/19; two victims (or three per cent) more than the 59 recorded the previous year. Following the 59 cases in both 2015/16 and 2017/18, this is the third-lowest number of recorded cases for a single 12-month period since 1976. In Scotland, the number of homicide cases has remained fairly stable, with figures staying between 59 and 63 cases every year since 2012/13.

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.

At the High Court in Glasgow last Friday, Lord Matthews sentenced 16-year-old Aaron Campbell to detention without limit of time, with a minimum term of 27 years, after he was found guilty of the abduction, rape and murder of Alesha MacPhail.

According to new figures released in November 2018 by Scotland’s Chief Statistician, the number of homicides committed in Scotland in the period 2017-18 has decreased by 5% when compared to the previous year. 59 murders were committed in the whole country this year, which is a significant decrease from 2016-17’s figure of 62 murders.