Data published by Police Scotland reveal that as of 3 September 2025, there were 10,064 outstanding arrest warrants, including seven for murder, five for attempted murder and 40 for rape.

Police Scotland arrest warrants are issued by a court when there are grounds to believe a person must be brought before the court to answer a criminal complaint or their address is unknown.

Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill MSP said: “It is deeply concerning that more than 10,000 arrest warrants remain outstanding, including for some of the most serious offences including murder and rape. Not maintaining police numbers results in failures like this.

“Officers are already under intense demands with an increasing workload, with this backlog heaping further pressure on an already overstretched service. The SNP have failed Scotland’s communities and police officers by allowing Police Scotland to shrink when the force is already at breaking point.

“Ministers must take urgent action to address the concerns of frontline officers and staff who have been sounding the alarm about the service being hollowed out. Scottish Labour would restore confidence in our policing and justice system, create safer communities, and prevent our young people from being drawn into crime in the first place.”