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Sex crimes reported to Police Scotland reach 45-year high Recorded crime in Scotland drops to lowest level in 40 years
(35 minutes later)
The number of sex crimes reported to police in Scotland have reached a 45-year high, according to new figures. Recorded crime in Scotland has dropped by 4% to its lowest levels since 1974 but there has been an increase in the number of sex crimes reported.
The official Scottish government statistics showed a total of 246,243 crimes were recorded by Police Scotland last year - a drop of 4% since 2014/15.
However, the figures showed a 7% increase in sex crimes, the highest number since 1971.
Ministers said this included a significant number of historical cases.
Senior officers said the statistics also partly reflected an increased level of confidence in reporting sex crime.
Police Scotland recorded more than 10,000 sexual crimes last year - 53% more than in 2006/07.Police Scotland recorded more than 10,000 sexual crimes last year - 53% more than in 2006/07.
Senior officers said the statistics partly reflect an increased level of confidence in reporting sex crime. The police clear-up rate for all crimes stood at 51.6% - an increase of 1.2 percentage points on the previous year
The official figures also revealed that all recorded crime in Scotland continued to fall, and it has now reached its lowest level since 1974.
Historical casesHistorical cases
A total of 246,243 crimes were recorded by Police Scotland last year - a drop of 4% since 2014/15.
The police clear-up rate stood at 51.6% - an increase of 1.2 percentage points on the previous year.
The National Statistics publication for the Scottish government also found:The National Statistics publication for the Scottish government also found:
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said the increased number of sexual crimes included a "significant number" of historical cases.Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said the increased number of sexual crimes included a "significant number" of historical cases.
He said he was pleased with the statistics and grateful for the "excellent work" of Scotland's police officers and their colleagues in other agencies.He said he was pleased with the statistics and grateful for the "excellent work" of Scotland's police officers and their colleagues in other agencies.
He added: "While higher levels of recorded sexual crime are broadly in line with UK trends, include a significant number of historical cases and may reflect greater willingness by victims to come forward, such incidents are completely unacceptable.He added: "While higher levels of recorded sexual crime are broadly in line with UK trends, include a significant number of historical cases and may reflect greater willingness by victims to come forward, such incidents are completely unacceptable.
"This is why we have taken tough action to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice."This is why we have taken tough action to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
"Since 2006-07 we have also invested more than £10.5m in a range of violence reduction programmes during which time violent crime has more than halved (down 52%) and is at its second lowest level since 1974."Since 2006-07 we have also invested more than £10.5m in a range of violence reduction programmes during which time violent crime has more than halved (down 52%) and is at its second lowest level since 1974.
"Today's report also indicates that female victims of common assault were far more likely than men to be assaulted by a partner or ex-partner - underlining why the Scottish government has committed an additional £20m over three years to tackle violence against women, alongside our plan to strengthen legislation against all forms of domestic abuse.""Today's report also indicates that female victims of common assault were far more likely than men to be assaulted by a partner or ex-partner - underlining why the Scottish government has committed an additional £20m over three years to tackle violence against women, alongside our plan to strengthen legislation against all forms of domestic abuse."
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Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the overall recorded "crime picture" was largely positive.Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the overall recorded "crime picture" was largely positive.
But he added: "The increase in the report of sexual crime is in part a reflection of the increased level of confidence the public has in reporting this type of crime to the police with the knowledge that every complaint will be handled sensitively and professionally. This equally applies to reports of historical abuse.But he added: "The increase in the report of sexual crime is in part a reflection of the increased level of confidence the public has in reporting this type of crime to the police with the knowledge that every complaint will be handled sensitively and professionally. This equally applies to reports of historical abuse.
"We recognise the increase in crimes of violence and although this remains low in a historical context, we continue to work with partners in communities to tackle violence and address the influence that alcohol plays in many of these crimes."We recognise the increase in crimes of violence and although this remains low in a historical context, we continue to work with partners in communities to tackle violence and address the influence that alcohol plays in many of these crimes.
"The recorded crime statistics are an important barometer on the level of service that the public get from Police Scotland, but they are only part of the picture."The recorded crime statistics are an important barometer on the level of service that the public get from Police Scotland, but they are only part of the picture.
"On a daily basis officers and staff provide help, advice and assistance on many different subjects ranging from anti-social behaviour, missing persons and mental health issues."On a daily basis officers and staff provide help, advice and assistance on many different subjects ranging from anti-social behaviour, missing persons and mental health issues.
"In addition, we are developing a better understanding of the demands on modern policing in relation to issues such as cybercrime and online child exploitation which will be a focus for us in the future."In addition, we are developing a better understanding of the demands on modern policing in relation to issues such as cybercrime and online child exploitation which will be a focus for us in the future.
"Police Scotland will continue to engage with the public to identify issues in local communities across Scotland that will direct and inform the shape of policing for the future.""Police Scotland will continue to engage with the public to identify issues in local communities across Scotland that will direct and inform the shape of policing for the future."