Case Explained: Property and violent crime down 42 per cent in Scotland since 2008 – Legal Perspective

The SCJS is a national survey of almost 5,000 people across Scotland which allows people to share their experiences and perceptions of crime, including incidents not reported to police.

The 2024-25 official statistics estimate that since 2008-09:

• the total volume of property and violent crime, including incidents not reported to police, is down 42 per cent
• violent crime is down 37 per cent
• property crime is down 43 per cent
• the proportion of adults who feel safe walking alone in their local area after dark is up from 66 per cent to 76 per cent
• the proportion of adults experiencing violent crime is down to 2.5 per cent from 4.1 per cent
• the proportion of adults experiencing property crime is down to 9.4 per cent from 18.0 per cent

Those who took part in the survey were asked about their experiences of violent crime, property crime and fraud and computer misuse. Property and violent crime is lower than in 2008-09. All SCJS crime, which now includes fraud and computer misuse, is at a similar level to 2023-24.

Around half of the crimes covered by the survey in 2024-25 were fraud and computer misuse. This is similar to the figure in 2023-24, which was the first year when the SCJS included this type of crime.

A majority of adults were confident in the ability of the local police for most aspects of police ‘effectiveness’ covered in the survey, such as dealing with incidents as they occur and solving crime.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “This flagship national survey shows property crime and violent crime 42 per cent lower than in 2008-09 and people feeling safer in their local communities. This is consistent with other official data showing recorded crime at one of its lowest levels since 1974, with serious assaults and homicides at record lows.

“While more than 97 per cent of people do not experience any crime, I am acutely aware of the impact on the very small proportion who fall victim to violent crime. We have sustained investment in measures to prevent, reduce and tackle violence, including youth violence, with more than £6 million of Scottish Government funding over the past three years, on top of our record funding of more than £1.7 billion for policing over the next year.

“The long-term fall in crime is testimony to the efforts of police, justice and community safety partners and this Government’s investment in the criminal justice system. However, the survey does highlight the need for continued action. I am particularly concerned about the higher proportion of violent crimes committed in the workplace and the increase in the proportion of violent incidents involving a child perpetrator. Reported levels of fraud and computer misuse also show the need for continued focus in this area.”