Remember me
Housebreakings in Scotland are ‘spiralling out of control’ after the number soared by more than 70 per cent to nearly 80 per day, shocking figures show.
The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) found a surge in the number of break-ins – but the vast majority of property crime is not reported to police.
Figures from police show recorded home raids are on the decline but the SCJS looks at the experience of victims regardless of whether the crime was reported.
The same survey of around 5,000 adults found plunging public confidence in policing, sparking fears that trust in the force is collapsing.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘These alarming figures lay bare how housebreaking is spiralling out of control on the SNP’s watch.
‘Officers no longer have the resources to punish these offenders, and victims no longer have confidence that these crimes will be fully investigated.
'The SNP’s abject surrender to criminals means housebreakers know they will often get let off.’
The number of housebreakings has soared by 71 per cent from 17,000 to 29,000, or an average of 79 per day, between 2023/24 and 2024/25.
Figures reveal housebreakings in Scotland have gone up by more than 70 per cent
The latest figures on housebreakings – published by the Scottish Government – come after Chief Constable Jo Farrell told the Mail in May 2024 that tackling break-ins was a ‘priority’.
But there is concern over Police Scotland’s proportionate response strategy which means thousands of ‘minor’ crimes are no longer fully investigated.
This week, the SCJS found more than eight out of ten violent, property and fraud crimes are not reported to police amid ‘collapsing’ public confidence in the SNP’s single force, including 73 per cent of property crime which includes housebreaking.
The research found almost 1.2 million crimes such as assault, housebreaking and fraud took place in 2024/25 – including 199,000 violent offences – but only a fraction were logged with police.
Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill said: ‘These are worrying figures. The SNP’s soft-touch approach to justice – from declining police officer numbers to early release of prisoners – has consequences.’
Martin Gallagher, a former police superintendent, said: ‘Housebreaking is one of the most invasive non-violent crimes a person can experience. Prior to the creation of Police Scotland, the crime was given the priority it deserved.’
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: ‘Property crime, including housebreaking, has fallen by 43 per cent since 2008-2009 and the SCJS survey estimates that fewer than one in 100 people are victims of housebreaking.’
Share or comment on this article: Housebreakings in Scotland soar to 80 a day... but only a fraction reported to police
Comments (0)