Scotland’s Chief Statistician today published Homicide in
Scotland, 2022-23. The publication provides information on crimes
of homicide recorded by the police in Scotland in 2022-23. The
main findings are:
In 2022-23, 52 victims of homicide were recorded, 2% (or one
victim) fewer than the 53 victims recorded in 2021-22. This is
the lowest number of recorded homicide victims since comparable
records began in 1976.
Over the latest 10 year period from 2013-14 to 2022-23, the
number of victims fell by 16% (or 10 victims) from 62 to 52.
Over the latest 20 year period from 2003-04 to 2022-23, the
number of homicide victims in Scotland has fallen by over half
(52% or 57 victims) from 109 to 52. The biggest reduction in
homicide victims over the last 20 years has been amongst young
people aged 16-24. In the five years between 2003-04 to 2007-08
there were 126 victims in this age range. This dropped to 24
across the latest five years between 2018-19 to 2022-23.
Of the 52 victims recorded in 2022-23, 75% (39) were male and 25%
(13) were female.
In 2022-23, 73 persons were accused of homicide, of which 88%
(64) were male and 12% (nine) were female. For all the 52
homicide victims recorded in 2022-23, the associated case was
solved.
For each of the last 20 years, the most common method of killing
was with a sharp instrument. In 2022-23, a sharp instrument was
the main method of killing for 58% (or 30) of homicide victims.
For the latest year of 2022-23, the majority (54%) of male
victims were killed by an acquaintance (21 of 39 male victims).
In the latest year of 2022-23, eight victims were killed by a
partner or ex-partner. Six female victims (46% of all female
homicide victims) and two male victims (5% of all male victims).
Whilst most recorded incidents of homicide in these statistics
have one victim and one accused, some incidents can have multiple
victims and (or) accused. There were 51 homicide incidents
recorded in 2022-23, 2% (or 1 incident) fewer than the 52
recorded in 2021-22.
Background
The full statistical publication can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/homicide-scotland-2022-23/
- The term “sharp instrument” includes knives, broken bottles,
swords, sharpened screwdrivers and any other pointed or edged
weapons.
- Further information on Crime and Justice statistics within
Scotland can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.scot/collections/crime-and-justice-statistics/
- National statistics are produced by professionally
independent statistical staff – more information on the standards
of National statistics in Scotland can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/about-our-statistics/
