Homicide in Scotland, 2017-18

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today published Homicide in Scotland, 2017-18. The publication provides information on crimes of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in 2017-18. The main findings are:

Between 2016-17 and 2017-18, the number of homicide cases recorded by the police in Scotland decreased by 5% (3 cases) from 62 to 59. This is the joint lowest number of recorded homicide cases for a single twelve month period since 1976, the first year for which comparable data are available.

Over the ten year period from 2008-09 to 2017-18, the number of homicide cases in Scotland fell by 39% (38 cases) from 97 to 59.

In 2017-18, 59 victims of homicide were recorded, 9% (6 victims) less than the 65 victims recorded in 2016-17. Of the 59 victims, 76% (45) were male.

In 2017-18, 81 persons were accused of homicide and 95% (77) of them were male. Of the 59 cases of homicide recorded for 2017-18, 58 were solved and one is currently unsolved.

For each of the last ten years, the most common method of killing was with a sharp instrument. In 2017-18, a sharp instrument was the main method of killing for 58% (34) of homicide victims.

Background

1. The full statistical publication can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/10/1417
2. The term “sharp instrument” includes knives, broken bottles, swords, sharpened screwdrivers and any other pointed or edged weapons.
3. Further information on Crime and Justice statistics within Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice
4. National statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of National statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About