Scotland sees 10 per cent rise in sexual crime

In the year ending December 2025 the police in Scotland recorded 308,532 crimes. This was three per cent higher than the 298,306 crimes recorded in the year ending December 2024, and six per cent higher than the 292,316 crimes recorded in the year ending December 2021.

Sexual crimes were 10 per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2024 (increasing from 14,539 to 16,029 crimes), and 10 per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2021 (increasing from 14,598 to 16,029 crimes).

Non-sexual crimes of violence were five per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2024 (increasing from 70,635 to 74,384 crimes), and 13 per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2021 (increasing from 65,930 to 74,384 crimes).

Crimes of dishonesty were two per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2024 (increasing from 111,265 to 113,729 crimes), and 27 per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2021 (increasing from 89,888 to 113,729 crimes).

Damage and reckless behaviour was three per cent lower compared to the year ending December 2024 (decreasing from 39,249 to 37,962 crimes), and 13 per cent lower compared to the year ending December 2021 (decreasing from 43,428 to 37,962 crimes).

Crimes against society were six per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2024 (increasing from 62,618 to 66,428 crimes), and six per cent higher compared to the year ending December 2021 (increasing from 62,824 to 66,428 crimes).

The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland in the year ending December 2025 was 191,153. This is eight per cent higher than the 177,172 offences recorded in the year ending December 2024, and five per cent higher than the 182,071 offences recorded in the year ending December 2021.