Recorded Crime in Scotland,1998: Cr/1999/3 :4

Recorded Crime in Scotland,1998: Cr/1999/3

4. Crimes recorded by the police

4.1 The number of cases recorded in the non-sexual crimes of violence group increased by 1,900 (10 per cent) to total 21,100 in 1998, above the average for the previous five years (Table 1) and the number of crimes of indecency recorded by the police increased by 4 per cent to number 7,400. The number of recorded crimes of dishonesty (consisting mainly of housebreaking and theft) - which now accounts for around two thirds of all recorded crimes — increased by 3 per cent to 275,000, an increase of 8,200 cases. Crimes in the group "fire-raising and vandalism etc." fell by 1,800, a decrease of 2 per cent between 1997 and 1998. The "other crimes" group, including drugs related crimes and crimes against public justice, rose by 2,300 to 48,400, an increase of 5 per cent. Property related crime (e.g. housebreaking, theft and vandalism) has fallen as a proportion of all recorded crime; in 1998 the proportion was 82 per cent compared with 91 per cent in 1989. The proportions attributable to non-sexual crimes of violence and crimes of indecency in 1998 were slightly above the level in 1989 and the "other crimes" group has accounted for an increasing proportion over time, rising from around 4 per cent in 1989 to 11 per cent in 1998, reflecting the increase in recorded drugs related crimes over this period.

Chart 3 Crimes recorded in 1998 by crime group

Violence

4.2 In all of the sub-categories within the non-sexual crimes of violence group, the number of crimes recorded in 1998 was higher than the number recorded in 1997. All of the percentage decreases experienced between 1996 and 1997 have been reversed in 1998. Recorded cases of serious assault etc increased by 9 per cent (560 cases) in 1998 and the number of cases of "handling an offensive weapon" increased to 6,700 in 1998 (an increase of 13 per cent) following a decrease of 12 per cent in the previous year. This increase may in part be attributed to operations such as Spotlight in Strathclyde, which has specifically targeted such crimes (there was an increase of 15 per cent in recorded violent crime in Strathclyde last year). The number of recorded cases of robbery increased by 10 per cent to number 5,000 in 1998; the increase in this category is mainly related to bag snatching and robberies from cash machines. Some forces have suggested that the increase in non — sexual crimes of violence may in some way be attributable to the increased use of CCTV which is now identifying incidents which might not have been reported to the police in the past.

4.3 The "other" sub-group within non-sexual crimes of violence increased in 1998 (up 5 per cent) which, as in 1997, was mainly attributable to crimes of cruelty to and neglect of children.

Indecency

4.4 The number of crimes of indecency recorded by the police rose by 260 cases to 7,400 in 1998, an increase of 4 per cent. Most forces recorded increases but to differing degrees, the highest increase 43 per cent, was recorded in Dumfries & Galloway but the total is small (133) and trends in this and other force areas can be strongly influenced by comparatively small numerical changes.

4.5. Recorded cases of sexual assault increased by 9 per cent during 1998. Within this sub-group, the number of cases of rape increased by 8 per cent and cases of assault with intent to rape and indecent assault rose by 12 per cent and 9 per cent respectively. The number of crimes of lewd & indecent behaviour fell by 62 cases in 1998 to stand at 3,000. Last year police forces advised that there has been an increase in the propensity of victims to report historical crimes of sexual abuse to the police, thus contributing to the increases recorded during 1997 and this has continued, with less effect, in 1998.

4.6. Following a pilot exercise within two forces in 1997, to determine the feasibility of collating more detailed statistical information on the volume and type of sexual crimes committed against children, all forces are taking part in a statistical return covering the period January to March 1999.

4.7. The ‘other’ sub-group within crimes of indecency increased by 7 per cent, attributable, in the main, to a 13 per cent increase (205 cases) in the number of prostitution-related offences recorded by the police, mainly in the cities of Aberdeen and Glasgow. Table B below provides more detailed information on the number of crimes of indecency over the ten year period 1989-1998.

Crimes of indecency recorded by the police, Scotland, 1989 - 1998	Table B
Number & Percentage

Crimes of indecency	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	%change 97-98

Sexual assault :
Rape	328	326	320	350	339	395	403	447	570	613	8
Assault with intent to rape	198	168	200	189	204	174	195	152	169	189	12
Indecent assault	982	964	909	1,065	1,083	1,034	1,040	1,130	1,240	1,352	9
Lewd and indecent behaviour :
Lewd and libidinous practices	926	1,045	1,092	1,121	1,390	1,395	1,118	1,365	1,896	1,911	1
Indecent exposure	1,658	1,579	1,526	1,475	1,331	1,260	1,263	1,100	1,118	1,041	-7
Other :
Incest	91	82	83	83	95	88	58	60	97	77	-21
Homosexual acts	171	222	162	164	172	130	104	148	173	155	-10
Sexual intercourse with girl under 16	407	402	280	322	357	346	283	266	286	260	-9
Offences relating to prostitution	973	1,206	1,236	1,357	1,045	1,128	1,046	929	1,545	1,750	13
Other crimes of indecency	8	40	36	25	31	48	37	79	53	63	19

TOTAL	5,742	6,034	5,844	6,151	6,047	5,998	5,547	5,676	7,147	7,411	4

Dishonesty

4.8 The number of crimes of dishonesty increased for the first time since 1991 and stood at 275,400 cases, an increase of 3 per cent on the number recorded in 1997. There were increases in most of the categories within this group, the largest proportionate increase being within the theft by opening a lockfast place category which rose by 26 per cent (2,500) between 1997 and 1998. The number of recorded crimes of housebreaking increased by 1,170 in 1998 to total 56,600, an increase of 2 per cent. With effect from 1994 the housebreaking figures have been further sub-divided to distinguish between domestic and non-domestic premises. The increase in 1998 was divided equally between domestic and non domestic premises, although it was proportionately greater for non domestic premises. However the total number of housebreakings during 1998 still remains at less than half the number recorded in the early 1990s. There has been a greater proportionate reduction in the number of housebreakings involving non-domestic premises; 47 per cent between 1994 and 1998 compared with 28 per cent over the same time period for domestic premises. In 1998, 67 per cent of all housebreakings involved domestic property (e.g. houses, garages, garden sheds) compared with 60 per cent in 1994. Tables C and D overleaf provide more details.

Theft by housebreaking (including attempts and housebreaking with intent), 1994 - 1998	Table C
Number & Percentage

	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	% change 94-98

Total	88,394	74,235	64,470	55,471	56,636	-36

Domestic :	53,116	44,725	40,814	36,792	38,033	-28
Dwelling	40,486	34,243	31,594	28,273	28,883	-29
Non-dwelling	12,630	10,482	9,220	8,519	9,150	-28

Other	35,278	29,510	23,656	18,679	18,603	-47

Percentage domestic	60%	60%	63%	66%	67%


Theft by housebreaking (including attempts and housebreaking with intent) by police force area, 1998	Table D
	Number & Percentage

	Domestic : Dwelling	Domestic : Non-dwelling	Other	*Percentage domestic*

Central	1,207	379	746	68%
Dumfries & Galloway	541	162	473	60%
Fife	1,557	741	944	71%
Grampian	3,596	894	1,919	70%
Lothian & Borders	3,350	1,421	2,530	65%
Northern	343	139	415	54%
Strathclyde	16,250	4,796	10,286	67%
Tayside	2,039	618	1,290	67%

Scotland	28,883	9,150	18,603	*67%*

4.9 Recorded cases of theft from a motor vehicle by opening a lockfast place fell from 41,400 in 1997 to 39,600 in 1998, a decrease of 4 per cent. The number of recorded cases of theft of a motor vehicle continued to fall in 1998 and now stands at 28,400 the lowest such figure recorded since 1989. This may reflect, in part, the improved security devices fitted to motor vehicles and increased awareness within communities regarding the importance of security of personal property. In 1998, as in the preceding year, motor vehicle related theft accounted for nearly one third of the total number of crimes of dishonesty. Information on the number of thefts from a motor vehicle by opening a lockfast place have been collected since 1992 and table E overleaf provides more detailed information.

Theft of and from motor vehicles recorded by the police, 1992 - 1998	Table E
Number & Percentage

Crime category	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	% change 97 - 98

Theft from motor vehicle of which:
Theft by opening a lockfast place (OLP)	55,690	51,160	45,028	40,177	36,282	29,468	28,013	-5
OLP with intent to steal	20,401	17,512	15,313	13,221	11,624	8,462	8,207	-3
Attempted theft OLP	5,127	5,257	5,497	4,949	4,511	3,476	3,397	-2
Other theft	15,834	15,422	13,764	13,042	12,073	10,298	10,478	2
Theft of motor vehicle	38,795	33,967	32,214	28,835	26,397	22,431	22,311	-1
Attempted theft of motor vehicle	8,638	8,849	9,748	8,679	7,764	6,215	6,122	-1

Total motor vehicle theft	144,485	132,167	121,564	108,903	98,651	80,350	78,528	-2

4.10 The number of cases of fraud increased by 18 per cent between 1997 and 1998 and is related to a variety of factors; improved recording practices, better liaison between agencies and a small number of cases in which a large number of crimes were recorded in each incident. Shoplifting increased by 12 per cent 2,300 cases between 1997 and 1998.

Fire - raising, vandalism etc.

4.11 Recorded cases of vandalism etc. decreased by 2 per cent (1,600) to 76,600 in 1998. The number of recorded crimes of fire-raising decreased by 280 (10 per cent) to total 2,500 in 1998.

Other crimes

4.12 The number of recorded cases in the "other crimes" group rose by 5 per cent, to 48,500 cases in 1998. The overall increase relates mainly to a rise in the number of drugs related crimes, which increased by 2,100 to total 31,500 in 1998, an increase of 7 per cent. Within the drugs group recorded cases of supply and possession with intent to supply rose by 5 per cent from 7,900 in 1997 to 8,300 in 1998 and recorded cases of possession increased by 8 per cent from 20,900 cases in 1997 to 22,600 cases in 1998. Table F below provides further details.

Drugs related crimes recorded by the police, Scotland, 1989 - 1998	Table F
Number & Percentage

Crime category	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	*% change 97 - 98*

Illegal importation of drugs	17	9	3	5	4	13	13	35	27	30	11
Illegal cultivation of drugs	74	47	40	177	286	280	301	284	238	170	*-29*
Possession of drugs with intent to supply	2,037	2,741	3,301	3,914	4,943	5,625	7,660	6,638	7,915	8,290	5
Possession of drugs	4,654	6,513	8,412	9,226	12,430	13,146	16,527	16,739	20,929	22,588	8
Drugs, money laundering related offences¹	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-
Drugs, other offences	242	254	225	246	323	217	271	296	277	382	38

Total	7,024	9,564	11,981	13,568	17,986	19,281	24,773	23,992	29,386	31,460	7

1. Introduced with effect from 1 January 1995

4.13 The ‘other’ sub-group within "other crimes", which consists of crimes against public order, increased by 7 per cent from 97 cases in 1997 to 104 cases in 1998.