Recorded rape crimes rise by 15% across Scotland

The number of rapes and attempted rapes in Scotland rose by 15% last year.

Statistics released by the Scottish Government on Tuesday show there were 2,609 reports in the year up to June 2024.

In the following year, the figure rose to 3,004 – a 15% jump.

Since 2021, the number of attack reports has increased by 21%.

The total number of sexual offences grew by 5% in the most recent year, according to the figures.

In the year ending June 2025, data published by the Scottish Government found Police Scotland recorded 15,129 sex crimes, up from 14,417 in 2024.

The latest figures are 9% higher than the 13,939 crimes recorded in 2021.

The number of overall recorded crimes in Scotland rose by 1% to 303,343 last year.

This is up from 300,078 crimes recorded in the year ending June 2024, and 1% higher than the 300,747 crimes recorded in the year ending June 2021.

Elsewhere, 2,169 reports were made under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act in the year up to June 2024, rising by 26% to 2,742 the following year.

Since 2021, the number of domestic violence reports increased by 63%, from 1,682.

The total number of non-sexual violent crimes increased by 12% since 2021, according to the statistics.

Reports of shoplifting offences also increased by 17% in the most recent year, rising from 40,554 to 47,381.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: “This deeply alarming rise in recorded crime is the inevitable consequence of the SNP’s brutal and sustained police cuts and weak sentencing policies.

“It is particularly worrying to see a sharp rise in the number of rapes and sexual assault cases.

“SNP ministers must put victims’ needs first, rather than those of dangerous criminals whose so-called punishments are often so lenient they provide no deterrent whatsoever.

“Whether it’s sexual crimes, other violent offences or the shoplifting epidemic, the trend is up and Scotland’s streets are becoming less safe.

“The buck stops with the SNP, who have undermined our police and left our justice system at breaking point. It’s time for ministers to ditch their soft-touch agenda and properly fund our police so that they can keep the public safe.”