At Churchill Support Services, we believe that understanding crime rates and rankings is crucial in choosing where to set up your business, or where to lay down roots and start a family. They’re an integral part of deciding what’s right for you, whether that’s just to visit or to start something more permanent.
As part of an ongoing series of reports that have covered everything from the safest areas to live and work in the UK, right through to the most dangerous areas of London, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at Scotland and its most dangerous areas.
We’ll also be looking at how those statistics compare to last year’s figures, and what it might mean for the future of those who’ve made Scotland their home.
Over the last 20 years, the crime rate across Scotland has been in a steady decline. There’s multiple reasons for that – increased policing presence, more robust and evolving security for Scotland, and greater community resources and initiatives all play a role in what’s undoubtedly been a turn for the better for Scotland.
At a glance, the period between 2004 and 2005 was one of the worst since records began, totalling a huge 511,834 offences over the course of the year. Crime reached an all-time high at that point across Scotland, and changes had to be made.
This is where we truly saw a turning point, and the most recent batches of data we’ve seen demonstrate that, with the crime figures for the 2022 into 2023 period sitting at a much-lower-yet-still-concerning 289,362 offences – 43% lower than the highs we witnessed in 04/05.
However, when we look at the last year of data compared to the most recent batch, there’s been a slight uptick in the amount of crimes Scotland-wide. 2021 into 2022 finished at 286,484 offences – just over 1% lower than the figures we’ve seen for 2022 into 2023.
If we look at that as a ratio of crimes per 10,000 residents, we’re able to gain a much clearer picture of what this means for residents. Those figures for 2004/05 equated to 1,007 crimes per 10,000 people, while the statistics for 2022/23 show a comparable crime rate of 528 crimes per 10,000 people.
Of course, those figures are an overview, and don’t tell the full story. Let’s break down the 15 most dangerous areas of Scotland for 2024, and what they might mean for you and your future plans.
We’ve crunched the numbers and sourced the top 15 most dangerous areas of Scotland, and the detailed crime statistics that make them such an unsavoury area. We’ll also look at any shifts from last year’s data, and what they might mean for the future.
A new entry in the rankings of the most dangerous areas in Scotland, Inverclyde’s small stature hides a big reputation for tourism, shipbuilding heritage, and – somewhat controversially – a higher rate of crime, with an estimated 768 offences per 10,000 residents.
Inverclyde’s main issue lies in a rate of crimes against society (176 per 10,000 people, or 1352 incidents) that places it second across the entire region, alongside equally worrying figures in crimes of dishonesty (1326 incidents) and road traffic offences (920 incidents).
Birthplace of acclaimed Scottish wordsmith Robert Burns, the tourist hotspot of South Ayrshire plays host to an estimated three-quarters of a million tourists every year, alongside its rising residential population too. That increasing popularity means a similarly increasing crime rate, with an estimated 776 offences per 10,000 residents in the last year alone.
South Ayrshire ranks highly across multiple major issues for Scottish locals, including crimes of dishonesty (2053 incidents) and vehicle offences (1965 incidents), but it’s the region’s rate of shoplifting (931 incidents) that sparks concern as the second highest countrywide.
One of the smallest counties across Scotland, Clackmannanshire (often just referred to as “Clacks”) is north of the historic city of Falkirk, and rests upon the banks of the River Forth. Despite its idyllic locale, Clacks’ crime rate of 799 crimes per 10,000 residents sees it sit at thirteenth on our list of Scotland’s most dangerous areas – 5 places lower than last year’s rankings.
While crime in Clacks has fallen by just over 6% compared with last year, there’s still cause for concern. That’s best exemplified by consistently high figures across crimes of dishonesty (894 incidents), road traffic offences (763 incidents) and violent crime (696 incidents).
At the crook of the River Clyde lies Renfrewshire, most notable for the bustling town of Paisley, as well as being a quintessential slice of Scottish rurality with its array of castles and crumbling ruins. That keen sense of history is overshadowed by its crime rate, however, with Renfrewshire seeing 806 crimes per 10,000 residents over the last year.
High rates of road traffic offences (3360 incidents), crimes of dishonesty (3301 incidents) and crimes against society (2120 incidents) all regularly dominate headlines across the region, but there’s mounting concern surrounding environmental offences (44 incidents), where the region ranks 3rd across the whole of Scotland.
Encompassing everything from the untamed wilds of northern Scotland, to the sprawling metropolitan area of Inverness, the Scottish Highlands are undoubtedly a surprise entry on our rankings of the most dangerous areas of Scotland. However, with an overall crime rate of 813 crimes per 1000 residents, its inclusion is more than warranted.
The major issue for the Highlands is the soaring rate of road traffic offences (7286 incidents), which places it as the 3rd highest across Scotland. That’s in addition to equally concerning numbers across crimes of dishonesty (2982 incidents), violent crime (2536 incidents) and crimes against society (2259 incidents).
Home to the sprawling town of Kilmarnock, as well as a rich, storied history told through its many castles and stately homes, the glittering exterior of the county of East Ayrshire and its heritage mask a high crime rate of 816 crimes per 10,000 residents.
Digging deeper, we find that the main contributor to that rate is road traffic offences (2256 incidents), along with high figures across crimes of dishonesty (1930 incidents) and violent crime (1524 incidents). There is a silver lining, however – although still ranked tenth in Scotland’s more dangerous areas, crime in East Ayrshire has fallen by almost 4% compared to last year.
A celebrated Scottish seaside destination, crowned by the modest townships of Irvine, Kilwinning and Saltcoats, the county of North Ayrshire has a proud history in the maritime industry, best evidenced by its splendid harbour. It’s unfortunately now building a separate reputation for criminal activity, with last year seeing 833 crimes per 10,000 residents.
There’s mounting concerns surrounding rising figures in road traffic offences (2684 incidents) and crimes of dishonesty (2294 incidents), as well as a rate of driving under the influence (220 incidents that sees it rank 6th among all counties across Scotland.
One of the more infamous counties of Scotland, the Fife peninsula reaches out into the North Sea and towards Scandinavia, with residents of the major towns of Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy enjoying the sea breezes and breathtaking vistas. Not as enjoyable, however, are the issues that Fife faces with its crime rate, which sits at 835 crimes per 10,000 residents.
As Scotland’s third largest local authority, the region sees a shocking amount of many of Scotland’s major issues, including high figures across crimes of dishonesty (8030 incidents), road traffic offences (6417 incidents) and violent crime (5223 incidents). That’s in addition to the second highest levels of sexual crimes (1418 incidents) – behind only Glasgow.
Scotland’s historic capital, and one of the UK’s largest metropolitan areas, the city of Edinburgh represents both a huge cultural and industrial landmark. Many might expect such a large city to have one of the higher crime rates, but effective policing and Scottish security resources mean that it occupies the seventh spot on our list, with 877 crimes per 10,000 residents.
However, that overall crime rate only tells a partial tale. The city ranks second for many of the most pivotal stats, including crimes of dishonesty (14,623 incidents) and road traffic offences (9091 incidents), and experienced the most burglaries (1449 incidents) and thefts from a motor vehicle (525 incidents).
Often grouped together with its southern counterpart, North Lanarkshire has two major Scottish hubs in Airdrie and Motherwell, as well as some of the richest industrial history Scotland has to offer. That industry gives way to a soaring crime rate, though, with the county seeing 898 crimes per 10,000 residents.
High numbers across road traffic offences (6977 incidents), crimes of dishonesty (5790 incidents) and crimes against society (4751 incidents) are naturally the headline statistics. When we look more closely, though, North Lanarkshire ranks second for drugs possession (1750 incidents), as well as weapon possession (484 incidents).
Located on one of the easternmost points of mainland Scotland, and as the UK’s northernmost city, Aberdeen is an area with a rich and diverse history. It’s now one of the cities leading the charge with reinvigorating the UK’s economy, but with that responsibility comes additional issues with crime, and Aberdeen is no different, seeing 945 crimes per 10,000 residents.
Aberdeen’s main issues stem from steady figures across crimes of dishonesty (5449 incidents), road traffic offences (4162 incidents) and violent crime (3608 incidents), but there’s also mounting worries around a rate of public urination (177 incidents) that’s the second highest across Scotland.
The Dumfries and Galloway area is one of the largest on our list, and one that offers a concentrated view of the entirety of Scotland, from chocolate box villages to the larger towns of Dumfries and Stranraer. That blend brings with it an inflated crime rate, however, with the region sitting 4th on our rankings of the most dangerous areas in Scotland, at 1093 crimes per 10,000 residents.
While crime in Dumfries & Galloway has fallen by more than 10% compared with last year’s figures, that’s not to say the region hasn’t got its issues. Like much of the country, high figures across road traffic offences (6165 incidents), crimes of dishonesty (2114 incidents) and crimes against society (2049 incidents) represent the main concerns for residents and visitors alike.
Within commuting distance of Glasgow, and a key area for families and Scottish businesses alike, West Dunbartonshire represents a more urbanised hub than other entries on our list. It’s this urban sprawl that sees the county reach 1100 crimes per 10,000 residents – a concerning 3% increase over the figures we witnessed last year.
Road traffic offences (3070 incidents) is the standout issue for those in West Dunbartonshire, with rising levels of concern surrounding increasing rates of crimes of dishonesty (1488 incidents) and crimes against society (1386 incidents).
Nicknamed the “City of Discovery”, Dundee began its life as a seafaring town, and quickly became a beacon for trade and merchanting in Scotland. Now a huge metropolis in its own right, the city falls a place from last year’s rankings of the most dangerous areas of Scotland, sitting in second with a crime rate of 1152 crimes per 10,000 residents.
While it’s overall rate has dropped, Dundee still has major issues across the board, seeing spiralling numbers in crimes of dishonesty (5383 incidents) and violent crime (2853 incidents). The city also grapples with soaring figures in shoplifting (1668 incidents) and motor vehicle theft (315 incidents) – perhaps indicative of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Historically one of the most dangerous areas in Scotland, Glasgow’s reputation across the board often precedes it. The largest city in Scotland, the 4th largest in the UK, and a major centre for culture and commerce, Glasgow’s soaring crime rate of 1251 crimes per 10,000 residents sees it top the charts.
Unsurprisingly, Glasgow’s seen startling figures across the board, with the overall crime figures rising by 2.6% compared with last year’s statistics. We’ve witnessed astronomical numbers in many of Scotland’s prevalent issues, including the country’s highest figures in crimes of dishonesty (17,971 incidents), road traffic offences (16,906 incidents) and crimes against society (12,196 incidents).
Delving deeper uncovers a rate of drug offences (5326 incidents) in Glasgow that’s more than double any of Scotland’s other major areas, including Aberdeen (2363 incidents), Edinburgh (2276 incidents) and North Lanarkshire (2184 incidents).
To ensure full clarity and transparency in the data we’re analysing and reporting, we’ve used data direct from the Scottish Police data repository. This guarantees an objective and clear approach to the statistics we present, and that everything is as accurate as possible.
We’ve then expressed this as a ratio of the number of crimes per 10,000 residents. The benefits of this is twofold – it’s much easier to digest and understand, and allows us to take into account key variables that can affect crime rates, such as area size and population.
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