Over a third of Scots say crime is rising amid police resource concerns

STV News

01-07-2025

More than a third of Scots believe the crime rate has increased in their local community, with widespread public fears that police officers do not have sufficient resources.
In a new opinion poll conducted by Survation, 13% of people in Scotland said crime has risen a lot in the past two years and a further 21% said it has gone up a little. Only 11% said they feel the rate has fallen.
At the same time, most Scots feel that police officers in their local area do not have the necessary resources to prevent crime happening in the first place. There was, however, more confidence in the force being able to solve crimes that have occurred.
Justice secretary Angela Constance said she was 'concerned to hear there is a perceived increase in crime being experienced by some', but said Scotland 'continues to be a safe place to live with reported crime falling by more than half since 1991'.
Opposition parties warned of an 'epidemic of serious violence' and called for measures to 'restore confidence in our policing and justice system'.
David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), said officers are 'hamstrung' because they are dealing with too many health-related issues – often being the first point of contact when someone is in mental health distress.
The poll was published on Tuesday in the July edition of 1919 Magazine.
David Threadgold, chair of the SPF, said: 'If the government is genuinely concerned about policing and the electorate's perception of crime, then it should take heed of this poll.
'When police have the tools and the resources, they have the ability to get the job done – but at present we're not able to carry out basic police functions like interacting with the public to prevent crime in the first place.
'Operational cops are hamstrung because they are carrying out health functions.
'Policing has got to become a greater priority for government.'
The Survation poll of 1,003 people in Scotland aged 16 and above was conducted for 1919 Magazine between June 9 and 12.
Respondents were asked: 'How much would you say the crime rate in your local area has changed since two years ago?' A combined total of 34% said 'a lot more' or 'a little more', 44% said 'about the same', and 11% said 'a lot less' or 'a little less'.
The poll also asked people how confident they are about police in their local area having sufficient resources. Nearly two-thirds (62%) said they are not confident there are resources to prevent crime happening in the first place, while 49% said the same for dealing with incidents as they occur.
In terms of solving crimes, there was a more even split – with 43% expressing confidence and 46% stating the opposite. Asked about the visibility of cops in their community, only 33% said they are confident there are enough resources for this.
Scottish Labour's justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill MSP said: 'Everyone should be able to feel safe in their local community. However, this poll suggests that for too many people, that is sadly not the case.
'This pinpoints exactly the problem with policing under the SNP – it has allowed basic policing to decline, therefore trust in the police service is being eroded.
'Members of the public must be given the reassurance that when they need help, our police will be there for them.
'Unfortunately, this SNP government has failed to back Police Scotland, just as it has allowed public services to decline.
'It is testament to the dedication of officers that, despite the challenges they are facing, there is confidence in the police to solve crimes and investigate incidents after they occur.
'Scottish Labour will tackle the epidemic of serious violence and restore confidence in our policing and justice system.'
Scottish Conservative community safety spokesperson Sharon Dowey MSP added: 'This damning survey exposes how badly the SNP's soft-touch justice system is failing Scots.
'The nationalists have consistently cut police resource, which has left them unable to investigate certain crimes.
'Law-abiding Scots have clearly lost trust in the SNP's system which continually panders to offenders and leaves victims as an afterthought.
'SNP ministers need to urgently show some common sense and start to prioritise frontline policing by delivering the resources required to keep communities safe.'
Justice secretary Angela Constance pointed to a record budget from the Scottish Government for policing.
'Our thoughts remain with anyone affected by crime and I am concerned to hear there is a perceived increase in crime being experienced by some,' she told 1919.
'I want to reassure people that Scotland continues to be a safe place to live with reported crime falling by more than half since 1991.
'This is backed up by the recently published Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024/25, which shows reported crime falling by more than half since 1991 and the flagship Scottish Crime and Justice Survey which also showed people feel safer in their communities.
'This year we will invest £4.2bn across the justice system including a record £1.64bn for policing – an increase of £90m on 2024/25.
'Our continued investment has enabled Police Scotland to take on more recruits in the last financial year than at any time since 2013, with further intakes planned throughout 2025. There were 16,553 police officers as of March 31, 2025.'
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