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RECORDED CRIME IN SCOTLAND, 2003
2. Main points
- The number of crimes recorded by the police decreased by 5 per cent between 2002 and 2003, more than reversing the slight increase recorded in 2002. In 2003, the Scottish police recorded 406,979 crimes, the lowest level recorded for nearly a quarter of a century.
- The number of non-sexual crimes of violence recorded by the police decreased by 7 per cent between 2002 and 2003, to total 15,230.
- The number of crimes in the indecency group increased marginally from 6,552 in 2002 to 6,557 in 2003 but numbers are still below the levels observed in 1997 and 1998.
- Within the indecency group, recorded cases of rape & attempted rape increased by 8 per cent to reach 988, the highest number ever recorded. This partially reflects pro-active efforts by police to encourage the reporting of such crimes.
- The number of crimes of dishonesty decreased for the fourth consecutive year, by 11 per cent, to stand at 210,874 cases in 2003.
- Recorded cases of Vandalism (including fire-raising and malicious mischief) increased by 5 per cent to total 100,036 in 2003. This increase reflects improved recording of minor incidents of such crimes throughout most police forces in Scotland.
- The crime clear-up rate rose from 46 per cent to 47 per cent - the highest level ever recorded.
- In 2003 the police recorded 586,150 offences, the highest number ever recorded. This was principally due to a 62 per cent increase in speeding offences, reflecting the impact of Camera Safety Partnerships.
- Total crime increased in four of the eight Scottish police forces, with Fife, Dumfries and Galloway, Central and Northern showing increases of 10 per cent, 7 per cent, 6 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. In all cases, the increases in the total number of crimes recorded largely reflected increases in the numbers of recorded crimes of vandalism, as police improved their recording of minor crimes of vandalism.
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