The 2021/22 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey reveals a significant decrease in crime rates in Scotland over the past 15 years, while public confidence in the police shows a decline.
Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released the main findings of the 2021/22 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS), shedding light on the state of crime and public perceptions of safety in the country. The survey indicates a notable decrease in the overall level of crime and the likelihood of being a victim of crime over the past 15 years. However, while crime rates have fallen, confidence in the police has seen a decline across various measures. This article delves into the key findings of the survey, exploring the extent and prevalence of crime, public perceptions of the police and the justice system, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SCJS.
Declining Crime Rates in Scotland
The 2021/22 SCJS reveals that the volume of crime in Scotland, including unreported incidents, has decreased by 53% since 2008/09. Property crimes have halved during this period, down 51%, while violent crimes have fallen by 58%. The survey estimates that 90% of adults in Scotland experienced no crime in 2021/22, with the proportion of adults experiencing crime decreasing from 20.4% in 2008/09 to 10% in the latest year. The majority of violent incidents were cases of minor assault resulting in no or negligible injury (69%), while serious assault (2%) and robbery (7%) remained relatively uncommon.
Public Perceptions of the Police
While crime rates have seen a decline, confidence in the police has waned. Nearly half of adults (49%) stated that the police in their local area do an excellent or good job, a decrease from 61% in 2012/13 and 55% in 2019/20. Victims of crime and those living in the most deprived areas of Scotland were less likely to have a positive view of the police. Confidence in the police’s effectiveness, including their ability to handle incidents and solve crimes, has also decreased since 2014/15. However, most adults expressed confidence in the local police force’s capability in various aspects of police effectiveness, except in preventing crime, where only 46% of adults were confident.
Public Perceptions of the Justice System
The survey indicates that the public generally has confidence in the operation of the justice system in Scotland. Three-quarters of adults were confident that the justice system allows all those accused of crimes to get a fair trial, regardless of who they are. However, confidence in other aspects of the justice system, such as giving sentences that fit the crime, was lower, with only 41% expressing confidence. The perception of the local crime rate has improved, with 76% of respondents believing it has stayed the same or reduced in the two years prior to the survey.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The SCJS was suspended for the 2020/21 reporting year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To fill this gap, the Scottish Victimisation Telephone Survey (SVTS) was conducted, focusing on crime experiences, safety, and policing perceptions during the pandemic. The 2021/22 SCJS, which resumed in November 2021, incorporated a mixed-mode approach to adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The survey’s comparability with previous years was assessed, and it has been deemed comparable, maintaining its National Statistics designation.
Conclusion:
The 2021/22 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey highlights a significant decline in crime rates in Scotland over the past 15 years. The survey shows that most adults in Scotland did not experience any crime in the latest year, and the proportion of adults experiencing crime has decreased since 2008/09. However, public confidence in the police has seen a decline, with fewer adults expressing positive views about the police in their local area. While the majority of adults have confidence in the operation of the justice system, there are concerns about aspects such as the fittingness of sentences. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SCJS was addressed through the Scottish Victimisation Telephone Survey, and the 2021/22 SCJS has been deemed comparable to previous years. These findings provide valuable insights into the state of crime and public perceptions in Scotland, offering an opportunity for continued improvement in the country’s justice system.
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