BREAKING: The number of reported rapes and attempted rapes in Scotland has surged by 11% over the past year, as alarming new statistics reveal 3,043 cases reported up to September 2023. This marks a dramatic increase from 2,746 reports the previous year, highlighting a troubling trend in sexual violence across the nation.
The latest figures, released by the Scottish Government on Tuesday, indicate a staggering 25% rise in rape reports since 2021. In addition to this, overall sexual crimes have risen by 7%, with particularly concerning increases in offences involving indecent images of children, which skyrocketed by 24%.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance responded to these troubling statistics, acknowledging that multiple factors contribute to the increase in sexual crime. “We are committed to implementing Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls,” she stated. Her office is prioritizing actions to bolster confidence in the justice system, encouraging more victims to come forward while enhancing support for those affected.
The rise in sexual offences is part of a broader trend. Reports of violent crime have also risen by 3% in the last year, climbing to a staggering 14% since 2021. This increase is largely driven by a 22% uptick in domestic violence reports. The statistics reveal a significant escalation in crime, with shoplifting alone seeing a jaw-dropping increase of 129% over the past four years, now totaling 48,564 incidents.
In addition to the rise in violent and sexual crimes, drug supply offences have surged by 15%, increasing from 4,392 to 5,041 in just one year. Though drug possession offences saw a slight increase of 2%, they remain down by 26% since 2021.
Despite these alarming figures, Constance emphasized Scotland’s overall safety, noting that recorded crime has decreased significantly since 1991. “Violent crime is down significantly over the past 20 years,” she said, while expressing deep concern over rising rates of sexual and violent offences. “Any instance of violence is one too many,” she added.
The Scottish Government is responding with urgent measures, investing a record £1.64 billion for policing this year, an increase of £90 million over the previous year. The total investment across the justice system will reach £4.2 billion in 2023, aiming to enhance the response to these troubling trends.
As Scotland grapples with these rising statistics, the focus shifts to immediate actions and support for victims to ensure safety and justice. Observers are closely watching how the government plans to address these critical issues in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops and authorities work to combat these rising crime rates.
