Recorded Crime in Scotland, 1999

4. Crimes recorded by the police

General

4.1 The number of cases recorded in the "non-sexual crimes of violence" group increased by 2,400 (11 per cent) to total 23,400 in 1999, the highest level ever recorded (Table 1). The number of crimes of indecency recorded by the police in 1999 decreased by 19 per cent to number 6,000. This figure is similar to the numbers recorded in the early 1990's. The number of recorded crimes of dishonesty (consisting mainly of housebreaking and theft) - which now accounts for almost two thirds of all recorded crimes — increased by less than half of one per cent to 276,000, an increase of 800 cases. Crimes in the group "fire-raising and vandalism etc." rose by 400, an increase of 1 per cent between 1998 and 1999. The "other crimes" group, including drugs crimes and crimes against public justice, rose by 2,000 to 50,500, an increase of 4 per cent. Property related crime (e.g. housebreaking, theft, fire-raising and vandalism) has fallen as a proportion of all recorded crime; in 1999 the proportion was 82 per cent compared with 91 per cent in 1990. The proportion attributable to non-sexual crimes of violence in 1999 was slightly above the level in 1990 whilst the proportion for crimes of indecency was rather lower. The "other crimes" group has accounted for an increasing proportion over time, rising from 4 per cent in 1990 to 12 per cent in 1999, reflecting the increase in recorded drugs crimes over this period.

Chart 3 Crimes recorded in 1999 by crime group

Violence

4.2 In all of the sub-categories within the non-sexual crimes of violence group, the number of crimes recorded in 1999 was higher than the number recorded in 1998. A similar pattern was evident between 1997 and 1998. Recorded cases of "serious assault etc" increased by 9 per cent (580 cases) in 1999, similar to the percentage increase recorded in 1998. The number of cases of "handling an offensive weapon" increased to 7,900 in 1999 (an increase of 17 per cent) following an increase of 13 per cent in the previous year. This, at least in part, reflects sustained efforts by Strathclyde police (Operation Spotlight) to tackle the culture of violence with more people being found to have an offensive weapon in their possession and being charged with this. (There was an increase of 21 per cent in recorded cases of "handling an offensive weapon" in Strathclyde last year). The number of recorded cases of "robbery" increased by 3 per cent to number 5,100 in 1999; the increase in this category is mainly related to bag snatching and robberies from cash machines. Some forces have suggested that the increase in non—sexual crimes of violence may in some way be attributable to the increased use of CCTV which is now identifying incidents which might not have been reported to the police in the past.

4.3 The "other" sub-group within non-sexual crimes of violence increased in 1999 (up 18 per cent). This is mainly attributable to the increase in the number of recorded cases of threats and extortion (up 37 per cent) and crimes of cruelty to and neglect of children (up 6 per cent).

Indecency

4.4 The number of crimes of indecency recorded by the police fell by 1,400 to 6,000 in 1999, a decrease of 19 per cent. Six of the eight police forces recorded decreases but to differing degrees, with only Dumfries & Galloway and Fife Constabulary recording increases. The largest percentage increase, 19 per cent, was recorded in Fife but the total difference was small (57). Similarly, the largest percentage decrease, 45 per cent, was recorded in Central but the total difference was again only 101. Trends in this and other force areas can be strongly influenced by comparatively small numerical changes.

4.5. Recorded cases of sexual assault decreased by 10 per cent during 1999 to total 1,900. All crimes within this sub-group recorded a decrease; the number of cases of rape decreased by 4 per cent and cases of assault with intent to rape and indecent assault fell by 12 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. The number of crimes of lewd and indecent behaviour fell by 570 cases in 1999 to stand at 2,400. In 1998, as in 1997, police forces advised that there had been an increase in the propensity of victims to report historical crimes of sexual abuse to the police, thus contributing to the significant increases recorded during these years. Even though this continued to an extent in 1999, the number of recorded cases in this category returned to the level of crime experienced in the early 1990's.

4.6. Following a pilot exercise within two forces in 1997 to determine the feasibility of collating more detailed statistical information on the volume and type of sexual crimes committed against children, all forces submitted a statistical return covering the period January to March 1999. A report of these research findings is currently in preparation.

4.7. The "other" sub-group within crimes of indecency decreased by 28 per cent, mainly due to a 32 per cent decrease (557 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 1990-1999.

1. Between 1990 to 1998, Grampian Police included attempted rape in their figures for rape.

Dishonesty

4.8 The overall 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 in 1999. There were, nevertheless, decreases in half the categories within this group and it is particularly noticeable that the largest proportionate decrease was within the housebreaking category, which fell by 5 per cent (down 2,800), between 1998 and 1999. This particularly reflects the success of intelligence led policing in Strathclyde in combating such crimes. The largest proportionate increase occurred within the shoplifting category which increased from 29,600 in 1998 to 32,000 in 1999, an increase of 8 per cent. With effect from 1994 the figures for recorded crimes of housebreaking have been further sub-divided to distinguish between domestic and non-domestic premises. The decrease in 1999 was reflected in the decreases in both domestic and non-domestic premises. The total number of housebreakings during 1999 still remains at less than half the number recorded in the early 1990's. There has been a greater proportionate reduction in the number of housebreakings involving non-domestic premises; 50 per cent between 1994 and 1999 compared with 32 per cent over the same time period for domestic premises. In 1999, as in 1998, 67 per cent of all housebreakings involved domestic property (e.g. houses, garages, garden sheds) compared with 60 per cent in 1994. Tables C and D below provide more details.

4.9 Recorded cases of theft from a motor vehicle by opening a lockfast place continued to fall in 1999 and now stands at 38,500, the lowest such number since figures were first separately identified in 1992. The number of recorded cases of theft by opening a lockfast place (excluding motor vehicles) fell from 12,200 in 1998 to 11,700 in 1999, a decrease of 4 per cent. The number of recorded cases of theft of a motor vehicle increased by 5 per cent in 1999 to 29,800. However, this number is comparatively low when compared to the level of motor vehicle theft experienced in the early 1990's - a decrease of 17 per cent over the past ten years. 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 1999, as in 1998, motor vehicle related theft accounted for just over a quarter of the total number of crimes of dishonesty. In earlier years this proportion was around one-third. Information on the number of thefts from a motor vehicle by opening a lockfast place have been collected since 1992 and Table E opposite provides more detailed information.

1. Separately identified from 1 January 1992.

4.10 The number of recorded cases of fraud remained constant in 1999 (18,600), following an increase of 18 per cent in the previous year. The other crimes of dishonesty sub-category, which, in the main, consists of cases of reset, forgery and uttering and crimes recorded in the category "Prevention of Crimes and Vagrancy", increased by 4 per cent in 1999 to 10,600.

Fire-raising, vandalism etc.

4.11 Recorded cases of vandalism etc. increased by 1 per cent (600) to 77,200 in 1999. The number of recorded crimes of fire-raising decreased by 180 (7 per cent) to total 2,300 in 1999.

Other crimes

4.12 The number of recorded cases in the "other crimes" group rose by 4 per cent, to 50,500 cases in 1999. The overall increase relates mainly to a rise in the number of crimes against public justice, which increased by 1,600 to total 18,500 in 1999, an increase of 10 per cent. The number of drugs crimes rose by 1 per cent to 31,900 in 1999, the highest number ever recorded. Within the drugs group, recorded cases of supply and possession with intent to supply rose by 3 per cent from 8,300 in 1998 to 8,500 in 1999 and recorded cases of possession increased by 1 per cent from 22,600 in 1998 to 22,800 in 1999. Table F below provides further details.

1. Introduced with effect from 1 January 1995.

4.13 The ‘other’ sub-group within "other crimes", which consists of crimes against public order and crimes involving explosives, increased by 21 per cent from 104 cases in 1998 to 126 cases in 1999.