Crime Statistics in Scotland

The OSR classes the Scottish Government’s Recorded Crime bulletins as accredited official statistics. Police Scotland’s own performance publications are management information only.

Police Scotland provide data to the Scottish Government for their bulletins. Scottish Government staff then conduct detailed quality checks. They discuss any queries with Police Scotland, and both organisations make any necessary changes.

Statisticians who have not been involved in the process then complete a second
round of checking.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland also conduct ‘crime audits’ to assess crime recording by Police Scotland. They check that recording is in line with the Scottish Crime Recording Standard and Counting Rules. The most recent audit was in 2020. The next will be in 2025-26.

As well as police recorded crime figures, the Scottish Government publishes the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey. This asks people about their experiences and feelings relating to crime in Scotland. The OSR classes these figures as accredited official statistics.

The Scottish Government also produces experimental statistics. This type of official
statistics is going through a process of development and evaluation in line with the
Code of Practice