The authorities in Scotland are hailing the latest official statistics that show recorded crime in Scotland has reached a 41 year low – although the statisticians admit that crime may be moving online (where the police don’t go or don’t know how to go about recording such crime). During Police Scotland’s second year of operation, crimes went down by 5 per cent to 256,350 in 2014-15 compared to 270,397 in the previous year and are at the lowest level since 1974. Figures from the Recorded Crime in Scotland report 2014-15 show:
Violent crime fell by 6 per cent in 2014-15 to 6,357 compared to 6,785 in 2013-14. These levels are at their lowest since 1974;
The crime clear up rate decreased slightly but is still the third highest since comparable records began in 1976;
Sexual crimes increased by 11 per cent last year. Police Scotland say just under half of this increase (around 45 per cent) is through a rise in reports of historic crimes (more than 12 months after the crime occurred). The clear up rate for sexual crimes is up by 1 percentage point to 76.5 per cent, the highest for 11 years;
Crimes of handling an offensive weapon, including knives, are down by 13 per cent last year, a fall of 67 per cent since 2006-07 and the lowest level since 1985.
Dishonesty crimes, including housebreaking, shoplifting and other thefts, fell by eight per cent, following the downwards trend since 1991;
The number of homicides (common law murder and culpable homicide ) remained the same as the previous year at 61, half the number recorded in 2006-07 however the number of deaths by dangerous or careless driving is up from 37 in 2013-14 to 39 in 2014-15; and
Crimes of fire-raising and vandalism decreased by four per cent.
Small print
However in the ‘small print’ of the 110-page report is a crime audit from 2014 that found incidents of shop theft where a crime had clearly been committed but no crime record was found related to shoplifting. “Often the goods stolen were of low value and officers elected not to record a crime, often because it was unlikely the offender would have been prosecuted. Other incidents where a crime had clearly been committed but no crime record was found related to fraud. It seemed that some officers were uncertain how to respond to fraud allegations, particularly in relation to online fraud. The issue of fraud and cybercrime is one that HMICS [inspectorate of constabulary for Scotland] has said they will consider more broadly … While the statistics in this bulletin show that crime is falling, there is a fear that some crime is being displaced and is now taking place online where it can be more challenging to identify, record and investigate.”
What they say
For the SNP, Cabinet Secretary Justice Michael Matheson said: “Recorded crime has fallen for the eighth year in a row and is now at its lowest level for 41 years, violent crime is down 6 per cent and crimes of handling an offensive weapon (including knives) have reduced by 67 per cent since 2006-07. These strong statistics are backed by over 1,000 extra police officers since 2007, protecting the public and keeping communities safe.
“The falling figures around violent crime are especially encouraging and are testament to increased policing and to the huge amount of groundbreaking work being done by the Violence Reduction Unit and the Scottish Government’s No Knives, Better Lives programme amongst others to educate our young people about the dangers and consequences of becoming involved in any form of violence. Indeed, the number of young people under 19 convicted of handling an offensive weapon has fallen by 80 per cent between 2006-07 and 2013-14. Alongside enforcement of legislation, our approach through education and awareness raising is having a huge impact on young people and will undoubtedly have a lasting effect for future generations.
“There has been another rise in sex crimes in the last year, reflecting the general upward trend of the past few years. Police Scotland have made clear that around 45 per cent of the increase is due to a rise in historic reporting and may also be down to more victims of current crimes coming forward. We want victims to have confidence to report these crimes which is why we strengthened the law by bringing in the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. Later this year, our Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill will also reform the law in relation to acts of harassment and sexual offending.”
Crimes of dishonesty (for example theft, shoplifting and housebreaking) decreased by 8 per cent from 137,324 in 2013-14 to 126,857 crimes in 2014-15. Shoplifting is the only category in ‘crimes of dishonesty’ not to show a clear downward trend, having remained comparatively stable over the ten year period.
You can view the document in full at http://www.gov.scot/.
While Glasgow has 11 per cent of Scotland’s population, it continues to account for 19pc of all recorded crime in Scotland.
Four local authorities saw an increase in recorded crime: Stirling (9pc), East Ayrshire (4pc), East Renfrewshire (3pc) and Midlothian (3pc).
