Statistical Bulletin CrJ/2002/1 Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2001
5. Offences recorded by the police
General
5.1 The number of offences recorded by the police in 2001 totalled 524,600, an increase of 25,000 cases, equivalent to a 5 per cent increase ( Table 2).
Miscellaneous offences
5.2 The number of miscellaneous offences rose by 6 per cent from 153,800 in 2000 to 162,500 in 2001. Within this total, recorded cases of petty assault remained at the 2000 level. Offences of breach of the peace rose by 4 per cent from 70,000 in 2000 to 72,600 in 2001. Recorded cases of drunkenness rose by 1 per cent to total 7,900 in 2001. The number of offences in the "other" sub-group (minor statutory offences) increased by 5,900 (28 per cent) to reach 27,100, mainly due to a 38 per cent increase (4,000 cases) in the numbers of offences of "consumption of alcohol in a designated place".
Offences of racially aggravated harassment and racially aggravated conduct
5.3 Sections 50A(1)(a) and 50A(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation)(Scotland) Act 1995 introduced two new offences of racially aggravated harassment and racially aggravated conduct. These sections of the Act came into force on 30 September 1998. Table G below presents the numbers of these offences recorded by the police from 1 January 1999. The table shows a considerable increase in the use of this legislation by police to combat racist behaviour.
Motor vehicle offences
5.4 The number of motor vehicle offences recorded in 2001 rose from 345,800 in 2000 to 362,100 in 2001, an increase of 5 per cent. There were decreases of 3 per cent (347 cases) in dangerous and careless driving and in vehicle defect offences (down 2 per cent from 48,300 in 2000 to 47,300 in 2001).
5.5 The number of cases of unlawful use of a vehicle totalled 88,100 in 2001, an increase of 3 per cent. The number of offences of drunk driving rose by 6 per cent to 11,400. Speeding offences also rose by 6 per cent, to reach 123,200 in 2001. Other motor vehicle offences rose by 11 per cent to total 80,100 in 2001.