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Sexual crimes in Scotland hit record high levels

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Sexual crimes recorded by Police Scotland increased by 10% last year and are now at their highest level since 1971, official figures show, external.

The total number of sexual crimes, which include rape and attempted rape, sexual assault and communicating indecently, rose from 14,892 to 16,430. There was also a 23% increase in offences under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act, which rose from 2,573 to 3,170 in 2025-26.

Rape Crisis Scotland said many survivors of sexual crimes choose not to report, so the true number will likely be even higher.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray said he was “of course concerned” by the increase in recorded crime, especially by the rise in sexual crimes.

Overall, recorded crime across Scotland increased by 5% in the last year, rising from 299,111 in 2024-25 to 315,357 in 2025-26.

This is the highest level since 2014-15 but down 49% from the peak in 1991.

Other types of crime have also increased in the last year.

Non-sexual crimes of violence, crimes of dishonesty and crimes against society all increased by 6% during the same period, while crimes of damage and reckless behaviour fell by 1%.


BBC News

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