Sex crimes in Scotland reach highest level in 55 years

Sex crimes in Scotland are at their highest level in 55 years, according to new statistics.

Scotland’s chief statistician has released data about recorded crime showing that between 2024-25 and 2025-26, sex crimes are now at the highest level seen since 1971.

Overall recorded crime rose by 5% in 2025-26 to stand at 313,357 – the highest level since 2014-15 – with those figures including a total of 16,430 sexual offences.

Figures showed cases of rape and attempted rape rose 11% between 2024-25 and 2025-26, and were 72% higher than a decade ago in 2016-17, with 3,229 offences recorded last year.

These were included in the 16,430 sexual crimes recorded in 2025-26, along with 965 cases involving indecent images of children, with such crimes up by 17% between 2024-25 and 2025-26 and 49% higher than they were in 2016-17.

Non-sexual crimes of violence rose by 6% over the last year to 75,601 in 2025-26, a total that is 14% higher than in 2016-17.

As part of this, cases of murder and culpable homicide increased by 25% between 2024-25 and 2025-26, rising from 44 to 55 crimes; however, this total was 15% lower than in 2016-17.

And cases of death by dangerous driving decreased 23% in the most recent year, falling from 66 to 51 – although this was 28% higher than in 2016-17.

According to the data, cases of serious assault and attempted murder rose by 2% between 2024-25 and 2025-26 to 3,075.

There was also a 23% increase in offences under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act, with this rising to 3,170 in 2025-26.

The figures also showed a 6% increase in crimes against dishonesty, rising from 110,913 in 2024-25 to 118,040 in 2025-26 – the highest total since 2014-15.

Meanwhile, an estimated 14,200 cyber crimes were recorded by the police in 2025-26, a rise of 1% from the previous year, though the report noted that levels were “significantly above” those recorded pre-Covid pandemic in 2019-20.

The police clear-up rate – the proportion of cases that were resolved by officers – increased from 56% in 2024-25 to 56.7% in 2025-26, with this the second highest clear-up rate since comparable records began in 1976, and the highest for a year that was not impacted by the Covid pandemic.

‘Challenge behaviours’

Justice secretary Neil Gray said he was “concerned” by the upturn, particularly by the rise in sex crimes, and an increase of almost a quarter in cases recorded under the Domestic Abuse Act.

However, he stressed that recorded crime was “down almost half” from its peak in 1991, and that the increase in sexual crimes was “part of a broader pattern seen across the UK”.

He said: “I am, of course, concerned by any increase in recorded crime and, in particular, the rise in sexual crime and domestic abuse crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018.

“While more victims are coming forward with the confidence to report offences, including historical crimes, this shows we need to remain focused on tackling these horrendous crimes and, importantly, prevent them by challenging the behaviours that underpin them.”

“We are taking action to strengthen confidence in the justice system and ensure police, prosecutors and the courts have the powers they need to bring perpetrators to justice.

“But enforcement alone is not enough. Sexual and domestic abuse crimes are overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women, and ultimately, men must change their behaviour. That responsibility rests with all of us to challenge unacceptable behaviour whenever we see it.

“We are working with partners to implement Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls. Over the next two years, we will invest £43.2m through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, alongside more than £1.7bn for policing.”

‘Shameful figures’

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Alev Taylor said: “Shamefully, we continue to see the highest levels of rape and sexual crime on record.”

She added: “These statistics represent an increasing number of survivors who have chosen to report what has happened to them.

“However, as local Rape Crisis services face increasing demand for support, there can be no doubt that it also represents an increasing prevalence of sexual violence in Scotland.”

Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “These shameful figures show Scotland is becoming less safe on the SNP’s watch.

“Violence against women is reaching a crisis point as sexual violence and domestic abuse rise again.

“More must be done to protect women and girls and to make our communities safe.”

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said: “These shocking figures are a damning indictment of soft-touch SNP justice.”

He said: “Violent crime is up. Sexual crime is up. Crimes of dishonesty are up. Whichever way you look, the figures expose the devastating consequences of two decades of SNP justice failure.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey said it was “particularly concerning that the level of sexual violence is now at a record high”.

She added: “While some of this may be down to a welcome increase in reporting, much more is needed to tackle the prevalence of these crimes.”