Homicides in Scotland fall to an all-time low
The number of homicides across Scotland has more than halved in the past 15 years, and are now at their lowest point since records began in 1976.
The latest official figures from Scotland’s Chief Statistician, released on Tuesday (October 25), show 53 people were the victim of homicide in 2021/22, six fewer than the previous year and down 54 per cent over the past 15 years.
Of the victims recorded in the past year, 70 per cent (37) were male and 30 per cent (16) were female.
More than half of the female victims (56 per cent or nine victims) were killed by a partner or ex-partner.
For each of the past ten years, the most common method of killing was with a sharp instrument. In 2021/22, a sharp instrument was the main method of killing for 47 per cent (25) of homicide victims.
In 2021/22, 63 persons were accused of homicide, of which 97 per cent (61) were male. The Scottish government says that for all of the 53 homicide victims recorded in the past year, the associated case was solved.
Of the 36 male victims where the relationship to the accused was known, 61 per cent (22 victims) were killed by an acquaintance.
The figures show that over the ten-year period from 2012/13 to 2021/22, the number of homicide victims in Scotland fell by 16 per cent (or ten victims) from 63 to 53.
Scotland’s Chief Statistician said that decrease was primarily based on the fall in 2021/22, with the number of victims over 2012/13 to 2020/21 remaining relatively stable (at between 59 and 66 victims recorded each year).
Commenting on the figures, Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “Scotland continues to be a safe place to live and this latest reduction in homicides is in line with the significant downward trend seen in other categories of violent crime over the past 15 years.
“However every death caused by homicide is a tragedy that leaves grieving families and friends in its wake, which is why tackling all forms of violent crime continues to be a top priority for this government.
“We are continuing to make considerable investment in supporting prevention work with people of all ages and ensuring Scotland’s law enforcement agencies and courts have the resources to deal with those who harm others.
“In recognition of the fact that more than half of female victims were killed by a partner or ex-partner, we are working on additional measures which will help prevent and reduce the number of homicides related to domestic abuse and give a voice to those who have been killed.
“We remain committed to working closely with both the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to support the delivery of the Joint Policing Strategy to ensure we continue to have a safe, protected and resilient Scotland.”
The Scottish government said that this year it has provided partners with over £2 million for ongoing and new innovative violence prevention activity across Scotland, including an increase of 14 per cent to the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit’s (VRU) budget.
It added: “This funding builds on more than £24 million in government investment since 2008, as part of sustained efforts to prevent violence.
“This includes providing more than £16 million to the Scottish VRU and more than £4.5 million to No Knives, Better Lives, a nationwide programme aimed at deterring young people from anti-social behaviour and carrying knives.”