At Spectrum Safety Insights, we understand that knowing about local crime rates is critical when deciding on the best location for business operations or choosing a safe environment for your family. This information is key to making informed decisions, whether for short visits or long-term commitments.
This article is a continuation of our detailed analyses on UK safety, moving from the safest places to live and work to the specific risks present in Scotland’s most challenging areas.
We will examine the current crime data and trends, comparing them with previous years, to provide insights into what these changes mean for residents and newcomers in Scotland.
Overview of Crime in Scotland
Over the past two decades, Scotland has witnessed a significant decline in crime rates. Several factors have contributed to this improvement, including enhanced police presence, advanced security measures, and more active community engagement and initiatives. These efforts have collectively fostered a safer environment across the nation.
The year between 2004 and 2005 marked a challenging period, recording a historic high with 511,834 offences, the highest since record-keeping began. This period catalyzed crucial changes and initiatives aimed at curbing crime rates.
Recent data shows promising trends, with the crime figures for the period from 2022 to 2023 indicating 289,362 offences, which is 43% lower than the peak observed in 2004/2005. Despite this significant reduction, there has been a slight increase in crime rates from the previous year (2021 to 2022), which recorded 286,484 offences.
To put these figures into perspective, the crime rate in 2004/2005 was 1,007 per 10,000 residents, whereas the rate in 2022/2023 has decreased to 528 crimes per 10,000 people. This reduction illustrates the effectiveness of the interventions over the years, but also highlights the continuous need for vigilance and improvement.
As we proceed, we will delve into the specifics of the 15 most dangerous areas in Scotland as of 2024, helping you understand the risks and implications for your personal or business decisions.
The 15 Most Dangerous Areas Of Scotland
Our analysis reveals the top 15 areas in Scotland where crime rates are notably high. We also examine changes from the previous year and their possible implications for the future.
15. Inverclyde
Overall Crime Rate: 768 Crimes Per 10,000 People – New Entry
Despite its small size and vibrant tourism and shipbuilding heritage, Inverclyde has a reputation for high crime rates, with 768 crimes reported per 10,000 people. It’s notable for having one of the highest rates of crimes against society and significant incidences of dishonesty and traffic violations.
14. South Ayrshire
Overall Crime Rate: 776 Crimes Per 10,000 People – New Entry
The birthplace of Robert Burns, South Ayrshire attracts millions of tourists annually. However, the crime rate has escalated to 776 offenses per 10,000 inhabitants, driven by high rates of shoplifting, vehicle offenses, and other crimes of dishonesty.
13. Clackmannanshire
Overall Crime Rate: 799 Crimes Per 10,000 People – Fallen 5 Places
Clackmannanshire, or “Clacks,” offers a scenic setting near Falkirk and along the River Forth. Despite a drop in crime by over 6% from last year, the crime rate remains high at 799 per 10,000, with significant figures in dishonesty, traffic offenses, and violent crimes.
12. Renfrewshire
Overall Crime Rate: 806 Crimes Per 10,000 People – New Entry
Positioned at the bend of the River Clyde, Renfrewshire’s rich history contrasts with its crime statistics. The region reported 806 crimes per 10,000 people, with the highest concerns being traffic offenses, dishonesty, and societal crimes, along with notable environmental offenses.
11. Highland
Overall Crime Rate: 813 Crimes Per 10,000 People – New Entry
The Highlands, encompassing rugged northern landscapes and Inverness’s urban expanse, report an unexpected high crime rate of 813 per 10,000. Traffic offenses, dishonesty, violent crimes, and societal issues contribute significantly to this figure, placing it prominently on this list.
10. East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire: A Historical Beauty with Present Concerns
East Ayrshire, known for the charming town of Kilmarnock and its historical castles, records a crime rate of 816 incidents per 10,000 people, maintaining its position from last year. The area sees a considerable amount of road traffic offenses, with 2,256 incidents leading the statistics, followed closely by crimes of dishonesty and violent crime. A slight decrease in crime by nearly 4% from the previous year offers a glimmer of hope.
9. North Ayrshire
North Ayrshire: Maritime Charm with Rising Concerns
This Scottish seaside gem, with towns like Irvine and Saltcoats, reports a troubling entry crime rate of 833 per 10,000 people. The area is marked by a rise in road traffic offenses and crimes of dishonesty, placing it among the more concerning areas in Scotland. Notably, North Ayrshire ranks high for driving under the influence, reflecting broader societal issues.
8. Fife
Fife: Coastal Beauty with Deep-Rooted Issues
Fife, stretching into the North Sea, is known for its scenic beauty and major towns like Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. However, it faces significant crime challenges with a rate of 835 per 10,000 people. The area is particularly plagued by crimes of dishonesty, road traffic offenses, violent crime, and notably, it has the second-highest rate of sexual crimes in Scotland.
7. City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh: Cultural Heart with Hidden Challenges
Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, while known for its rich cultural tapestry and economic significance, records an overall crime rate of 877 per 10,000 people. The city’s crime landscape is dominated by crimes of dishonesty and road traffic offenses. It also sees the highest numbers of burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles among Scottish cities, indicating specific areas of concern despite effective policing.
6. North Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire: Industrial Pride with Contemporary Issues
Adjacent to its southern neighbor, North Lanarkshire, encompassing Airdrie and Motherwell, mirrors its rich industrial heritage with a high crime rate of 898 per 10,000 residents. Dominant crime categories include road traffic offenses, crimes of dishonesty, and crimes against society. The area is particularly noted for high instances of drug and weapon possession.
5. Aberdeen City
Aberdeen: Top 10 Most Dangerous Areas in Scotland
Overall Crime Rate: 945 crimes per 10,000 people – unchanged from last year
Located at one of the easternmost points of mainland Scotland, Aberdeen serves as the UK’s northernmost city. It plays a pivotal role in revitalizing the UK’s economy, which brings its own set of challenges, including a crime rate of 945 crimes per 10,000 inhabitants.
In Aberdeen, persistent levels of crime include dishonesty (5449 incidents), road traffic offences (4162 incidents), and violent crimes (3608 incidents). There’s also a notably high incidence of public urination (177 incidents), ranking second highest in Scotland.
4. Dumfries & Galloway
Overall Crime Rate: 1093 crimes per 10,000 people – dropped one place from last year
Dumfries and Galloway, encompassing a vast area from quaint villages to the towns of Dumfries and Stranraer, registers fourth in Scotland’s most dangerous areas with a crime rate of 1093 per 10,000 residents.
Though there’s been over a 10% reduction in crime compared to last year, the region still faces significant issues with road traffic offences (6165 incidents), dishonesty (2114 incidents), and societal crimes (2049 incidents).
3. West Dunbartonshire
Overall Crime Rate: 1100 crimes per 10,000 people – increased one place from last year
West Dunbartonshire, within commuting distance of Glasgow, presents a more urban challenge, with crime rates reaching 1100 per 10,000 residents—an increase of 3% over last year.
The area is particularly affected by road traffic offences (3070 incidents), with rising concerns over dishonesty (1488 incidents) and societal crimes (1386 incidents).
2. Dundee City
Dundee: Top 10 Most Dangerous Areas in Scotland
Overall Crime Rate: 1152 crimes per 10,000 people – fallen one place from last year
Dundee, the “City of Discovery,” started as a maritime hub and has grown into a significant urban center, ranking second with a crime rate of 1152 per 10,000 people.
Despite a drop in the overall crime rate, Dundee confronts significant challenges with dishonesty (5383 incidents), violent crime (2853 incidents), shoplifting (1668 incidents), and motor vehicle theft (315 incidents), which reflect broader socioeconomic issues.
1. Glasgow City
Overall Crime Rate: 1251 crimes per 10,000 people – risen one place from last year
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and a major cultural and commercial hub, leads with the highest crime rate of 1251 per 10,000 residents, marking a 2.6% increase from last year.
The city reports high figures in dishonesty (17,971 incidents), road traffic offences (16,906 incidents), and societal crimes (12,196 incidents). Glasgow also struggles with drug offences (5326 incidents), significantly higher than other major areas in Scotland.
How Have We Sourced This Data?
To maintain transparency and accuracy in our analysis, we’ve sourced data directly from official Scottish police records. This ensures that our statistics are based on the most reliable and up-to-date information available. We present this data as a crime rate per 10,000 inhabitants, which simplifies understanding and allows us to consider factors like population density and area size, which can influence crime rates. This method provides a clear and straightforward comparison of crime across different areas.