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Crime and justice in South Lanarkshire

Council area

South Scotland. 334,330 people in 1,774 square kilometres.

6 layers about crime and justice for South Lanarkshire, 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 South Lanarkshire.

Is South Lanarkshire safe? What police records show

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in South Lanarkshire was 50.1 per 1,000 people.

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

Police recorded 16,737 crimes in South Lanarkshire in 2025/26, 50.1 per 1,000 people.

In 2025/26, the highest rates by type were for crimes of dishonesty (16.7 per 1,000 people), crimes of violence (12.3 per 1,000 people) and damage and reckless behaviour (6.6 per 1,000 people).

In 2024/25, the recorded crime rate in South Lanarkshire was 48.3 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
50.1 per 1,000
Scottish Government · 2025/26

In 2025/26, the recorded crime rate in South Lanarkshire was 50.1 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
12% lower56.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Recorded crime rate (Scotland): South Lanarkshire 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. South Lanarkshire is 50.1 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes (Scotland)

CouncilScotland only
16,737
Scottish Government · 2025/26
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes (Scotland): South Lanarkshire among every council32 areas from 470 to 55,193. The middle area is 6,365. South Lanarkshire is 16,737.

Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of damage and reckless behaviour in South Lanarkshire was 6.6 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
4% lower6.9 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded damage and reckless behaviour (Scotland): South Lanarkshire 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. South Lanarkshire is 6.6 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of dishonesty in South Lanarkshire was 16.7 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
22% lower21.3 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of dishonesty (Scotland): South Lanarkshire 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. South Lanarkshire is 16.7 per 1,000.

Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of sexual crimes in South Lanarkshire was 3.0 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
About the same3.0 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded sexual crimes (Scotland): South Lanarkshire 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. South Lanarkshire is 3.0 per 1,000.

Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland)

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

In 2025/26, the recorded rate of crimes of violence in South Lanarkshire was 12.3 per 1,000 people.

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

Against Scotland
10% lower13.6 per 1,000
Open in mapSource and method
Recorded crimes of violence (Scotland): South Lanarkshire 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. South Lanarkshire is 12.3 per 1,000.