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Crime and justice in Edinburgh

Council area

South east Scotland. 531,370 people in 263 square kilometres.

6 layers about crime and justice for Edinburgh, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Crimes by council

Recorded crimes and offences in Scotland · 2025/26

Under 1,00020k or more

Recorded crimes (Scotland) for Edinburgh.

Is Edinburgh safe? What police records show

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Edinburgh was 74.4 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 56.9 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Police recorded 39,483 crimes in Edinburgh in 2025/26, 74.4 per 1,000 people.

In 2025/26, the highest rates by type were for crimes of dishonesty (40.1 per 1,000 people), crimes of violence (14.0 per 1,000 people) and damage and reckless behaviour (7.3 per 1,000 people).

In 2024/25, the recorded crime rate in Edinburgh was 71.8 per 1,000 people.

Rates are per resident, so places that many people visit or work in, such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, can show higher rates than their residents alone would suggest.

Recorded crime rate (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
74.4 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in Edinburgh was 74.4 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 56.9 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
31% higher56.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Recorded crime rate (Scotland): Edinburgh among every council32 areas from 20.3 per 1,000 to 92.9 per 1,000. The middle area is 50.0 per 1,000. Edinburgh is 74.4 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
39,483
Scottish Government · 2025/26
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes (Scotland): Edinburgh among every council32 areas from 470 to 55,193. The middle area is 6,365. Edinburgh is 39,483.

Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
7.3 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of damage and reckless behaviour in Edinburgh was 7.3 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 6.9 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
6% higher6.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland): Edinburgh among every council32 areas from 3.4 per 1,000 to 10.9 per 1,000. The middle area is 6.5 per 1,000. Edinburgh is 7.3 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
40.1 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of dishonesty in Edinburgh was 40.1 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 21.3 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
1.9 times21.3 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland): Edinburgh among every council32 areas from 3.1 per 1,000 to 43.1 per 1,000. The middle area is 16.7 per 1,000. Edinburgh is 40.1 per 1,000.

Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
2.3 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of sexual crimes in Edinburgh was 2.3 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 3.0 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
23% lower3.0 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland): Edinburgh among every council32 areas from 1.4 per 1,000 to 4.0 per 1,000. The middle area is 2.8 per 1,000. Edinburgh is 2.3 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
14.0 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of violence in Edinburgh was 14.0 per 1,000 people.

That compares with 13.6 per 1,000 people across Scotland.

Against Scotland
3% higher13.6 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland): Edinburgh among every council32 areas from 5.9 per 1,000 to 19.6 per 1,000. The middle area is 12.3 per 1,000. Edinburgh is 14.0 per 1,000.