The Scotland crime rate has risen by 3% over the past year, according to newly released government data, with sharp increases recorded in domestic abuse, sexual offences and shoplifting.
Police recorded 308,532 crimes in Scotland in the year to December 2025 — an increase of 10,226 offences compared with the previous year. The figures highlight shifting crime patterns across the country, even as some traditional offences such as housebreaking and vehicle theft continued to decline.
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Crime Drive Increase
The data shows domestic abuse incidents were among the fastest-rising offences, jumping by 25% between 2024 and 2025. There were 3,009 reports of domestic violence, representing a 24% rise year on year and a striking 75% increase compared with 2021 levels.
Sexual crime also continued to climb. Police recorded 16,029 sexual offences, up 10% on the previous year and 10% higher than 2021 figures. Officials also reported increases in indecent communications (up 21%) and indecent images of children (up 20%), raising renewed concerns about online-enabled offending.
Shoplifting rose by 15%, reflecting wider pressures on retail crime that have been reported across the UK.
Mixed Picture Across Crime Categories
Despite the overall rise in the Scotland crime rate, several offence categories fell.
Housebreaking dropped by 14%, while theft from vehicles fell sharply by 24%. Damage and reckless behaviour offences also declined by 3%, largely driven by a 5% reduction in vandalism.
However, other serious offences moved in the opposite direction. Fire-raising increased by 12%, while supply of drugs offences rose 10% and weapons possession offences climbed 13%.
Crimes of dishonesty overall increased by 2% to 113,729 cases.
Homicide and Serious Violence Fall
More serious violent crime showed modest improvement.
Murders and culpable homicides fell slightly to 47 cases, down from 49 the previous year. Police also reported decreases in serious assault and attempted murder.
Officials noted that crime patterns in recent years have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly altered both the volume and nature of recorded offences between 2020 and the lifting of final restrictions in 2022.
Road and Antisocial Offences Rise
Police recorded 191,153 offences overall — an 8% increase — with road-traffic offences rising by 9% and antisocial behaviour incidents up 7%.
Crimes against society increased by 6% to 66,428 offences, reflecting continued enforcement activity in areas such as drugs and weapons.
Most Areas See Crime Increase
The rise in the Scotland crime rate was widespread geographically. Out of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, 27 recorded higher crime levels over the year.
The data suggests policing and community safety strategies will remain under pressure as authorities respond to changing crime trends, particularly the continued growth in domestic abuse and online-related offences.
Changing Crime Trends in Scotland
Scotland has experienced fluctuating crime levels over the past decade, with long-term declines in some traditional property crimes offset by increases in cyber-enabled and domestic offences.
Experts have previously warned that improved reporting practices, greater public awareness and expanded online activity can all contribute to rising recorded crime figures, even where underlying behaviour may be more complex.
The latest figures are likely to intensify debate over policing resources, prevention strategies and support services for victims, particularly in relation to domestic abuse and sexual crime.