Responding to the latest Homicide in Scotland 2021 – 2022 figures Will Linden, deputy director of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit said:
“Every life lost to violence is a tragedy and even more so as we know all violence is preventable. The latest homicide figures for Scotland show 53 people lost their lives in 2021 to 2022. This is the lowest number of recorded homicide victims since comparable records began in 1976. A close examination of the figures is important but it’s likely we are still seeing some impact from the pandemic in terms of changes to behaviour and this will continue to effect trends for some time. Knives, drugs, alcohol and violence against women and girls continue to feature heavily in these figures. However there are also signs of change with the number of homicide victims in Glasgow dropping by 47% since 2012 – 13* though the city still has the highest number of homicides.**
“While any reduction in violence is important we must not underestimate the challenges the country is currently facing and how that will impact upon the wellbeing of individuals and communities across Scotland. We must work together with a massive public health effort to treat not just the symptoms but the causes of violence.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Statement in response to the Homicide in Scotland 2021 -2022 figures released by the Scottish Government
- * The number of homicide victims in Glasgow has dropped by 47% from 19 to 10 this is a relatively larger fall in homicides than Scotland as a whole.
- ** In 2021-2022 Glasgow City had the highest number of homicide victims at 10, this was followed by South Lanarkshire and West Lothian both with 5.
- For more information on the SVRU go to www.svru.co.uk
Contact:
Claire Stewart Williams, Communications Manager 07918706545 or email SVRUComms@scotland.police.uk
