Shoplifting and domestic abuse soar as recorded crime rises in Scotland

Recorded crime in Scotland has risen in the past year, with figures showing domestic abuse up by 22% and shoplifting by 34%.

Police Scotland recorded 300,070 crimes in the year to June 2024, official statistics indicate, up 3% on the previous year.

Crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 rose from 1,784 to 2,169 and shoplifting climbed from 30,202 to 40,554, prompting calls for action.

Non-sexual crimes of violence rose by 2% year on year, including murder and culpable homicide, which rose 6% from 54 to 57 recorded crimes.

As well as domestic abuse, the category also includes robbery which was up 16% to 1,938 crimes recorded.

Despite a fall in recorded sexual crimes by 3% to 14,417 in the year to June 2024 compared with the previous year, rape and attempted rape rose by 2% to 2,609.

Sexual assaults recorded by the police fell 5% in the same period to 4,959 crimes.

The number of offences recorded by Police Scotland also rose 3% year on year to 177,849.

Hate aggravated conduct was up 11% to 1,702 offences while mobile phone driving offences also recorded a marked increase of 25% to 3,761.

Among the largest falls in recorded offences were speeding – down 23% year on year to 14,306 offences – and drunkenness and disorderly conduct, down 29% to 2,388.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said the rise in crime was “alarming” but “unsurprising”.

He said: “With officer numbers at a 17-year low, our streets are less safe due entirely to decisions made by successive SNP justice ministers in Edinburgh.

“The significant increase in domestic crimes also underlines the urgent need for my colleague Pam Gosal’s proposed new law to create a domestic abuse register.”

David Lonsdale, Scottish Retail Consortium director, said: “It’s appalling that shoplifting has soared by a third.

“Despite record spending by retailers on crime prevention, the rate of thefts continues to rise.”

He said members report shoplifters becoming “bolder and more aggressive” and called on the authorities to prioritise crime against retailers “to ensure our shops are made safer”.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland continues to be a safe place to live, with recorded crime at one of the lowest levels since 1974 and down 40% since 2006-07.

“While any increase in an area of recorded crime is concerning, these statistics help to demonstrate evolving trends in offending which will help inform future policing priorities.

“We are providing record police funding of £1.55 billion this year – an increase of £92.7 million – and Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales.”

Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Bex Smith said: “Scotland is a safe place to live and work with historically low levels of crime.”

She added: “Domestic abuse remains a significant priority for Police Scotland. Understanding the underlying issues and putting in place prevention strategies with partners is key. We take a victim-centred approach and always respond sensitively and professionally.

“Every officer is trained to deal with domestic incidents, and to identify the full range of abuse used to control, coerce and instil fear.

“We also work closely with the retail and business sectors to deter, prevent and investigate retail crime. Where we identify businesses which are being targeted by shoplifters, we have trained officers who can attend and carry out security surveys and offer advice around prevention.”

She said Chief Constable Jo Farrell “has been clear we must focus on strengthening and modernising our frontline so our people are best equipped to prevent crime and target offenders”.