Homicides up 10% in last year but still at historic low, figures show

The number of homicides committed in Scotland has risen by 10% in the last year, figures show.

Police Scotland recorded 57 victims of homicide in 2023-24, up from 52 the year before.

Homicide numbers still remain at historic lows in Scotland, with this year’s figure the third lowest since comparable records began in 1976.

Since 2004, the number of homicide victims – which includes murder and culpable homicide – has dropped by 58%.

The figures suggest the rate of decline has slowed though, with homicide numbers falling by 10% over the last 10 years.

The biggest reduction was among those aged 16-24, according to figures published on Tuesday by Scotland’s chief statistician.

In the five years between 2004-05 and 2008-09, there were 125 victims in this age range. This dropped to 29 across the last five years between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

Males continued to make up the vast majority of victims over the last year (77%), as well as those accused of committing the crimes (81%).

The majority of victims (58%) were reported to have been killed in drug-related homicides.

More than four-fifths (81%) of victims knew the accused, with 67% of those being acquaintances and 15% partners.

For female victims, 38% of all victims were killed by their partner or ex-partner while 64% of males were killed by an acquaintance.

The use of a sharp instrument – such as a knife – remained the most common method of killing at 49%.

For all the 57 homicide victims recorded in 2023-24, the associated case was solved.

Glasgow had the highest number of homicide victims of any region in Scotland.

The city accounted for 18% of the nation’s homicides, despite only making up 12% of Scotland’s population.

But Glasgow has seen the rate of homicides reduce faster than in the rest of Scotland.

Over the last five years, there were 47 homicides in Glasgow – a 71% reduction from 162 between 2004 and 2009.

Throughout Scotland, 63% of homicides happened within residential buildings such as dwellings while 30% occurred outside. Seven per cent happened within indoor public spaces.

None of the crimes in 2023/24 were reported to have a homophobic or racial motivation.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Scotland continues to be a safe place to live and I am encouraged that recorded homicides remain at a near record low, falling by 53% since 2006-07.

“However one homicide victim is one too many, with the consequences devastating for their loved ones and communities.”

Ms Constance said tackling all forms of violent crime is a “top priority” for the Scottish Government.

She added: “That is why through our Violence Prevention Framework, we are taking forward a range of activities to prevent violence, supported by over £2 million investment, in addition to our record police funding of £1.55 billion this year – an increase of £92.7 million.

“This has enabled Police Scotland to take on more recruits this year than at any time since 2013 and they have stated that current officer numbers are about 16,400.

“We also introduced the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill in September 2024 to create a statutory framework for Scotland’s first national multi-agency domestic homicide and suicide review model.”