This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Recorded Crime in Scotland
05/09/2006
Recorded crime in Scotland decreased by five per cent last year, according to the latest annual statistics published today.
The figures show that the total number of crimes recorded by the police in 2005-06 was 417,785, a decrease of 20,336 (5 per cent) on 2004-05 Apart from an increase in 2004-05, an anticipated effect of the introduction of the SCRS, levels of recorded crimes have generally been decreasing, and 2003-04 was the only year with a lower level of recorded crime for nearly a quarter of a century.
The clear-up rates in 2005-06 for all crime groups show little change to those for 2004-05, with the exception of that for vandalism, which has increased by one and a half percentage points to 23 per cent.
Other main findings in the recorded crime statistics include:
- The number of violent crimes (non-sexual crimes of violence) recorded by the police decreased by 7 per cent between 2004-05 and 2005-06, to a total of 13,726.
- The number of sexual crimes (crimes of indecency) decreased by 10 per cent, from 7,324 in 2004-05 to 6,588, the lowest total in 4 years.
- Within this group, recorded cases of rape & attempted rape increased by 5 per cent to reach 1,161, the highest number ever recorded. This reflects continued pro-active efforts by police to encourage the reporting of such crimes, and the continued reporting of historical crimes.· The number of crimes of dishonesty decreased for the seventh consecutive year to stand at 187,798 cases in 2005-06, an 11% decrease on the previous year. Only one category of crimes of dishonesty showed an increase, theft by opening a lockfast place.
- Recorded cases of vandalism (including fire-raising and malicious mischief) decreased by 1 per cent to total 127,889 in 2005-06.
- In 2005-06 the police recorded 593,816 offences, a decrease of 6 per cent from the number in 2004-05. This was largely due to a decrease in speeding offences.
This is a Scottish Executive National Statistics publication. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.