Scotland has recorded its highest number of crimes in four years, with nearly one offense logged every minute in the year leading up to June 2026. Official figures show a significant rise in various crime categories, including rape, violent offenses, and shoplifting, prompting concerns and criticism regarding the effectiveness of the current justice system under the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Police recorded a total of 513,866 crimes in the year to June 2026, an increase from 487,674 in the previous 12-month period. This marks the highest total since 2022. Among the notable increases, sexual crimes rose by 9 percent, from 15,129 to 16,560. Rape and attempted rape offenses saw an 8 percent jump, reaching 3,240 cases, a near third higher than the 2,455 recorded in 2022. Crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act also increased by 19 percent year-on-year, from 2,742 to 3,264.
Non-sexual violent crime increased by 7 percent, totaling 77,005 offenses. Crimes of dishonesty, encompassing housebreaking, shoplifting, and fraud, climbed by 10 percent to 123,906. Shoplifting alone saw a 20 percent surge, with 56,920 incidents reported in the past year, more than doubling since 2022.
Murders and culpable homicides also rose significantly, increasing by 40 percent to 49 cases in the year to June 2026, compared to 35 in the prior year. Fraud offenses also saw a 7 percent rise.
Critics have attributed the rise in crime to what they describe as a 'soft-touch justice' approach by the SNP government. Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr stated that the figures are "utterly disgraceful" and that the SNP has "weakened deterrence, piled pressure on to our police and repeatedly put the interests of offenders ahead of victims."
Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill echoed these concerns, calling the justice system "at breaking point." She urged an end to the SNP's approach and called for increased visible community policing and action to address the root causes of violence against women.
Organizations supporting victims have also voiced alarm. Alev Taylor, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, highlighted that the country "continues to let down survivors," citing rising levels of sexual violence, lengthy waits in the criminal justice process, and underfunded support services. She emphasized a lack of investment in prevention and tackling root causes, alongside a failure to address the current demand for support.
In response, Justice Secretary Neil Gray asserted that Scotland "remains a safe place to live," noting that recorded crime has fallen by almost half since its 1991 peak. He expressed concern about the rise in sexual crimes and domestic abuse, acknowledging that these are abhorrent offenses and reflect a broader UK pattern. Gray also suggested that the increase in reported offenses might indicate that more victims feel empowered to come forward, including with historical crimes.
Amidst these crime statistics, reports have also surfaced regarding internal turmoil within Police Scotland, with allegations of power struggles affecting the executive team.