Scotland is a safer country — and that’s no accident

In 2024–25, there were 45 homicide victims — down 21% in a single year, and 53% lower than twenty years ago. Over the past decade alone, the number has fallen by almost a quarter.

These aren’t just numbers. They mean lives saved, communities made safer, and families spared the heartbreak of violence.

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Since 2007, SNP Governments have worked with police, councils, and communities to tackle the root causes of violence — not just the symptoms.

That approach has delivered:

• A 53% fall in homicides since 2005–06,
• The lowest number of accused persons on record, and
• A 70% fall in youth homicides, with cases involving 16–24-year-olds down dramatically over two decades.

It’s proof that prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation work — and that Scotland’s justice policy is built on evidence, not empty slogans.

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Every homicide recorded in Scotland last year was solved — a 100% detection rate.

That success reflects the professionalism and dedication of Police Scotland officers and forensic teams, supported by SNP investment in modern tools, training, and technology.

Since Police Scotland’s creation in 2013, detection rates for the most serious crimes have remained consistently among the highest in the world. Even as investigations become more complex, Scotland’s police continue to deliver justice for victims and families.

It’s an extraordinary record — one that underlines the trust, skill, and capability of our national police service, and one every officer should take pride in.

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Two decades ago, Glasgow was branded the “murder capital of Europe.” Today, homicides there have fallen by two-thirds.

That transformation is thanks to initiatives like the Violence Reduction Unit, founded under an SNP Government. By treating violence as a public health issue, not just a crime, Scotland has changed lives and changed outcomes.

It’s a model now copied across the UK and beyond — built on education, opportunity, addiction support, and mental health, not just incarceration.

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Behind the headline numbers lie real human stories. Most male victims are killed by an acquaintance; most female victims, by a partner or ex-partner.

That’s why the Scottish Government continues to invest in domestic abuse prevention, women’s safety initiatives, and the Misogyny Bill — ensuring Scotland leads the way in tackling gender-based violence.

And while knife crime remains the most common method of killing, incidents have fallen sharply thanks to work in schools, community projects, and sustained youth engagement.

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No one in government takes comfort from any life lost to violence. But Scotland’s progress shows what can be achieved when compassion and evidence, not ideology, guide policy.

These results reflect the commitment of Police Scotland, the strength of our communities, and the public-health approach championed by the SNP Government.

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The SNP’s Vision for Justice in Scotland puts prevention, rehabilitation, and victims’ rights at its heart.

It means:

• Continuing to cut violent crime and knife crime,
• Supporting victims and survivors,
• Investing in policing and community safety, and
• Tackling the inequalities that fuel crime in the first place.

Scotland’s record low in homicides is not the end of the story — but it proves that our approach works.

With the right focus, investment, and values, Scotland can remain one of the safest countries in the world.

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Here in Angus, community safety depends on the same partnership approach.

Local officers in the Tayside Division work hand in hand with schools, youth services, and community groups to prevent violence and build trust.

That’s visible in initiatives tackling antisocial behaviour, supporting young people, and keeping our towns and villages safe. It’s a local reflection of a national truth: when government backs our police and communities, the results speak for themselves.