Recorded Crime in Scotland, 1999

2. Key points

• The number of crimes recorded by the police increased for the second consecutive year. In 1999, the Scottish police recorded 436,000 crimes, an increase of 1 per cent when compared with the 1998 figure. This increase was, however, lower than the 3 per cent increase noted between 1997 and 1998. In contrast, the police recorded 504,000 offences, a decrease of 2 per cent compared with 1998.
• The change in the total number of crimes recorded varied considerably across forces with five out of the eight forces recording an increase in crime in 1999. Strathclyde police, in particular, recorded substantial decreases in crime. Both Fife Constabulary and Lothian & Borders police introduced improved crime recording systems which led to substantial increases in the numbers of crimes they recorded. It is likely that, had the recorded crime figures not been affected by the changes in recording systems, the increases in these two areas would have been more than offset by the substantial decrease in crime recorded in Strathclyde, and the overall crime figures in Scotland would have fallen.
• From 1992, there was a steady downward trend in the number of recorded crimes, reaching a ten year low in 1997. Although the trend thereafter has been upward, the level of total recorded crime in 1999 was 24 per cent lower than the peak 1991 figure.
• The number of non-sexual crimes of violence recorded by the police increased by 11 per cent in 1999, to total 23,400, the highest level ever recorded. For the second consecutive year all categories within this group showed an increase. The number of crimes of "handling an offensive weapon" increased by 17 per cent reflecting sustained efforts by the police to tackle the culture of violence, with more people being found to have an offensive weapon in their possession and being charged with this. "Other" non-sexual crimes of violence, such as threats and extortion, increased by 18 per cent.
• In contrast, the number of crimes in the indecency group decreased by 19 per cent to number 6,000 in 1999. This figure is similar to the numbers recorded in the early 1990's. Within this group recorded cases of sexual assault - which includes rape and indecent assault - decreased by 10 per cent to total 1,900 whilst the number of crimes of lewd and indecent behaviour decreased by 19 per cent to stand at 2,400 in 1999. The number of crimes recorded in the "other" sub-group decreased by 28 per cent (640 cases) to 1,700 and was mainly as a result of a decrease in prostitution-related offences.
• The number of crimes of dishonesty increased for the second consecutive year but by less than half of one per cent to stand at 276,000 cases. Half the categories within this group showed a decrease with the largest proportionate decrease being within the "housebreaking" category, which fell by 5 per cent (down 2,800), between 1998 and 1999. Other categories with decreasing figures were: theft by opening a lockfast place (excluding motor vehicles), theft from a motor vehicle by OLP and fraud which decreased by 4 per cent, 3 per cent and less than half of one per cent respectively. The largest proportionate increase occurred within the "shoplifting" category (up 8 per cent) to total 32,000 in 1999.
• Recorded cases of vandalism (including malicious mischief) increased by 1 per cent (600) to total 77,200 in 1999. The number of recorded crimes of fire-raising fell by 7 per cent to total 2,300 during the same period.
• Within the other crimes group, recorded drugs crimes increased by 1 per cent to 31,900 in 1999. The 1999 figure represents the highest number ever recorded.
• The crime clear-up rate rose from 41 per cent in 1998 to 43 per cent in 1999. The number of crimes cleared up by the police increased significantly from 178,000 in 1998 to 189,000 in 1999, an increase of 6 per cent. There were increases in the clear-up rates for three of the five crime categories with the other two categories (crimes of indecency and other crimes) remaining constant. The clear-up rate for crimes of dishonesty increased from 33 to 35 per cent; in particular the clear-up rate for housebreaking increased by 2 percentage points although the number of crimes recorded in this category decreased by 5 per cent.