Sexual crime reaches highest level in over 50 years

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey MSP has today said the SNP must urgently step up support for Scotland’s justice system as new figures revealed that sexual crime is at its highest level since 1971.

New figures released today show that between 2024/25 and 2025/26:

• Sexual crimes increased by 10%, with these crimes now at their highest level since 1971.
• Crimes recorded by the police increased from 299,111 to 315,357, the highest level in ten years.
• Non-sexual crimes of violence increased by 4,431, while crimes of dishonesty increased by 7,127.
• Antisocial offences increased by 7%, while crimes against society increased by 6%.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey MSP said:

“The scale of the challenge facing police officers and our wider justice system is huge.

“It is particularly concerning that the level of sexual violence is now at a record high.

“While some of this may be down to a welcome increase in reporting, much more is needed to tackle the prevalence of these crimes.

“That’s why I want to see the SNP government finally acting on the raft of measures that Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out to tackle violence against women and girls.

“Ministers must also step up efforts to bring down overcrowding in prisons- that’s how we successfully rehabilitate people and cut reoffending. This should go hand in hand with supporting frontline officers, making sure they have the tools, time and expertise to properly investigate these crimes.”