Recorded Crime in Scotland, 1997

4. Crimes recorded by the police

4.1 The number of cases recorded in the non-sexual crimes of violence group decreased by 2,400 (11 per cent) to total 19,200 in 1997 (Table 1) while the number of crimes of indecency recorded by the police increased by 26 per cent to number 7,100. The number of recorded crimes of dishonesty (consisting mainly of housebreaking and theft) - which accounts for the majority of all recorded crimes - fell by 10 per cent to 267,000, a decrease of 28,200 cases. Crimes in the group "fire-raising and vandalism etc." fell by 8,000, a decrease of 9 per cent between 1996 and 1997. The "other crimes" group, including drugs related crimes and crimes against public justice, rose by 5,800 to 46,100, an increase of 15 per cent. Property related crime has fallen as a proportion of all recorded crime; in 1997 the proportion was 83 per cent compared with 91 per cent in 1988. The proportion attributable to non-sexual crimes of violence has remained broadly unchanged, while the "other crimes" group has accounted for an increasing proportion over time, rising from around 4 per cent in 1988 to 11 per cent in 1997, reflecting the increase in recorded drugs related crimes over this period.

Chart 3 - Crimes recorded in 1997 by crime group

Violence

4.2 In all but one of the sub-categories within the non-sexual crimes of violence group, the number of crimes recorded in 1997 was lower than the number recorded in 1996. Recorded cases of serious assault decreased by 13 per cent (900 cases) in 1997 and the number of cases of "handling an offensive weapon" fell to 6,000 in 1997 (a decrease of 12 per cent) following an increase of 6 per cent in the previous year. The number of recorded cases of robbery fell by 15 per cent to number 4,500 in 1997.

4.3 The "other" sub-group within non-sexual crimes of violence exhibited an increase in 1997 (up 7 per cent) and was mainly attributable to crimes of cruelty to and neglect of children.

Indecency

4.4 The number of crimes of indecency recorded by the police rose by 1,470 to number 7,100 in 1997, an increase of 26 per cent. All forces displayed increases but to differing degrees; up 10 per cent in Lothian & Borders to 58 per cent in Dumfries & Galloway (care must be taken when interpreting these figures due to the relatively small numbers involved in some forces).

4.5. Recorded cases of sexual assault increased by 14 per cent during 1997. Within this sub-group, the number of cases of rape increased by 28 per cent and cases of assault with intent to rape and indecent assault rose by 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. The number of crimes of lewd and indecent behaviour rose to 3,000 in 1997 compared with 2,500 in 1996, an increase of 22 per cent. Police forces have advised that there has been an increase in the propensity of victims to report historical crimes of sexual abuse to the police, thus contributing to the increases recorded during 1997.

4.6. A pilot exercise is currently underway within two forces to determine the feasibility of collating more detailed statistical information on the volume and type of sexual crimes committed against children. It is hoped that the pilot will reveal the extent to which historical crimes are being reported.

4.7. The ‘other’ sub-group within crimes of indecency increased by 45 per cent, attributable, in the main, to a 66 per cent increase (600 cases) in the number of prostitution-related offences recorded by the police, mainly in the cities of Aberdeen and Glasgow. Table B below provides more detailed information on the number of crimes of indecency over the ten year period 1988-1997.

Dishonesty

4.8 The number of crimes of dishonesty continued to decrease during 1997, falling by 10 per cent from 295,000 in 1996 to 267,000 in 1997. This continued the downward trend evident in previous years with decreases of 4 per cent, 10 per cent, 7 per cent, and 8 per cent. The number of recorded crimes of housebreaking fell by 9,000 in 1997 to total 55,500, a decrease of 14 per cent. The total number of housebreakings during 1997 was less than half the number recorded in the early 1990s. With effect from 1994 the housebreaking figures have been further sub-divided to distinguish between domestic and non-domestic premises. There has been a greater proportionate reduction in the number of housebreakings involving non-domestic premises; 47 per cent between 1994 and 1997 compared with 31 per cent over the same time period for domestic premises. In 1997, 66 per cent of all housebreakings involved domestic property (e.g. houses, garages, garden sheds) compared with 63 per cent in 1996 and 60 per cent in 1995. Table C below and D overleaf provide more details.

4.9 Recorded cases of theft from- a motor vehicle by opening a lockfast place fell from 52,400 in 1996 to 41,400 in 1997, a decrease of 21 per cent. Other theft by opening a lockfast place (excluding theft from a motor vehicle) increased by 21 per cent from 8,000 in 1996 to 9,700 in 1997. The number of recorded cases of theft of- a motor vehicle fell by 5,500 to 28,600, a decrease of 16 per cent between 1996 and 1997 and the lowest such figure recorded since 1988. This may reflect, in part, the improved security devices fitted to motor vehicles and increased awareness within communities regarding the importance of security of personal property. In 1997, as in the preceding year, motor vehicle related theft accounted for approximately one third of the total number of crimes of dishonesty.

4.10 There were falls in all other sub-categories in the dishonesty group. The number of recorded cases of shoplifting and fraud both decreased by 2 per cent and the "other theft" and "other dishonesty" sub-categories both decreased by 4 per cent.

Fire - raising, vandalism etc.

4.11 Recorded cases of vandalism etc. decreased by 9 per cent (7,500) to 78,200 in 1997. The number of recorded crimes of fire-raising decreased by 520 (16 per cent) to total 2,800 in 1997.

Other crimes

4.12 The number of recorded cases in the "other crimes" group rose by 15 per cent, to number 46,000 cases in 1997. The overall increase relates mainly to a rise in the number of drugs related crimes which increased by 5,400 to total 29,400 in 1997, an increase of 22 per cent. Within the drugs group recorded cases of supply and possession with intent to supply rose by 19 per cent from 6,600 in 1996 to 7,900 in 1997 and recorded cases of possession increased by 25 per cent from 16,700 cases in 1996 to 21,000 cases in 1997. Table E overleaf provides further details.

4.13 The ‘other’ sub-group within "other crimes", which consists of crimes against public order, decreased by 29 per cent from 137 cases in 1996 to 97 cases in 1997.

5. Offences recorded by the police

General

5.1 The number of offences recorded by the police in 1997 totalled 487,000, an increase of 35,000 cases, equivalent to an increase of 8 per cent (Table 2).

Miscellaneous offences

5.2 The number of miscellaneous offences recorded rose by 7 per cent from 146,100 in 1996 to 156,000 in 1997. This increase is attributable, in part, to police targeting of public disorder crimes in an attempt to improve community safety and address public nuisance crimes which annoy local residents. Recorded cases of petty assault rose by 5 per cent from 47,600 in 1996 to 50,100 in 1997 and the number of cases of breach of the peace increased by 3 per cent from 70,800 in 1996 to 73,100 in 1997. Recorded cases of drunkenness increased by 1 per cent to total 9,700 in 1997. The number of offences in the ‘other’ sub-group (minor statutory offences) rose by 28 per cent from 18,000 in 1996 to 23,000 in 1997, continuing the increase evident since 1995, and returning the number recorded to the level experienced in the earlier 1980s. Within this group the number of offences relating to the consumption of alcohol in public places rose in Strathclyde from 5,000 in 1996 to 9,400 cases in 1997, largely as a result of police activity which specifically targeted such offences under the local byelaws which outlaw drinking in public places. Such byelaws have been introduced in recent years using the powers available to councils in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Motor vehicle offences

5.3 The number of motor vehicle offences recorded in 1997 rose from 306,000 to 331,000, an increase of 8 per cent, following a decrease of 4 per cent between 1995 and 1996. The largest percentage increase was evident in the "other" sub-group which rose from 61,800 in 1996 to 72,300 in 1997 (up 17 per cent). This was largely attributable to the number of motor vehicle "record of work" offences (8,400 in 1997) which was more than double the figure in the previous year. The number of speeding offences in 1997 (91,900) was up 12 per cent on the previous year. There were decreases in the number of cases of dangerous and careless driving and drunk driving which fell by 6 and 5 per cent respectively.

5.4 The number of cases of unlawful use of a vehicle remained almost unchanged; numbering 79,100 in 1997. Vehicle defect offences rose by 13 per cent (6,700 cases) to equal 60,100 in 1997.