Scotland's most dangerous areas named by government with Aberdeen in top five
The Scottish Government has disclosed the regions with the highest and lowest crime rates across Scotland. The annual report, issued on Tuesday, detailed crimes and offences recorded and resolved by police forces.
The report highlighted a rise in the national rate of total recorded crime to 550 per 10,000 population for the period between 2023 and 2024, up from 531 the previous year.
Topping the list with the highest crime rate is Dundee, registering 847 crimes per 10,000 residents over the past year. The report underscored that the city experienced a "significantly higher" crime count this year.
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Glasgow City came in second place for the highest crime rate in Scotland, with 812 recorded crimes per 10,000 people. The report noted that Scotland's biggest city saw "significantly higher numbers of crimes" during 2023-24.
Edinburgh ranked third in Scotland for crime rates, with 679 incidents per 10,000 inhabitants reported between 2023 and 2024, while West Dunbartonshire followed closely in fourth with 672, reports the Daily Record.
Aberdeen City completed the top five with a total of 663 crimes per 10,000 people respectively; a stark contrast with neighbouring Aberdeenshire with 293, making it the sixth lowest council area.
The Shetland Islands boasted the lowest crime rate in Scotland, with just 215 recorded crimes per 10,000 population, well under the national average.
The Orkney Islands have been identified as the second safest area in Scotland, with a crime rate of 237 per 10,000 people over the past year. East Dunbartonshire, Na h-Eileanan Siar, and East Renfrewshire complete the top five, boasting crime rates of 241, 241, and 245 respectively.
Scotland's overall crime rate has seen an increase this year, with the total number of reported crimes rising from 289,362 in 2022-23 to 299,780 in 2023-24.
Despite this rise, the recorded crime rate remains lower than the figures prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The national crime rate is also 51% lower than its peak in 1991.
The report also highlighted that non-sexual violent crimes saw a four per cent increase, rising from 68,870 to 71,463, with common assault making up the majority of these incidents.
Sexual crimes, however, saw a one per cent decrease, dropping from 14,602 to 14,484. Despite this decrease, the level of sexual crimes is the third highest since 1971 and has seen a 52% increase over the last decade.
Crimes of dishonesty, including shoplifting and theft, increased by seven per cent, rising from 103,393 to 111,054. This figure matches the pre-pandemic level but is still 74% lower than the peak in 1991.
The government report suggests that approximately 29 per cent of all crime is reported to the police. Further details on crime statistics can be found on the Scottish Government's official website.
The total number of recorded crimes per 10,000 population in each Scottish area.
The total number of recorded crimes per 10,000 population in each Scottish area
Dundee City — 847
Glasgow City — 812
City of Edinburgh — 679
West Dunbartonshire — 672
Aberdeen City — 663
North Ayrshire — 579
North Lanarkshire — 572
West Lothian — 561
Inverclyde — 560
Clackmannanshire — 555
East Ayrshire — 546
Dumfries and Galloway — 541
Fife — 536
Renfrewshire — 515
Falkirk — 509
South Ayrshire — 503
South Lanarkshire — 499
Midlothian — 481
Highland — 470
East Lothian — 464
Stirling — 461
Moray — 412
Angus — 411
Perth and Kinross — 403
Argyll and Bute — 394
Scottish Borders — 393
Aberdeenshire — 293
East Renfrewshire — 245
Na h-Eileanan Siar — 241
East Dunbartonshire — 241
Orkney Islands — 237
Shetland Islands — 215