Homicides up 10% but still close to record low

The number of people murdered or killed in Scotland rose by 10% last year but is still the third lowest since records began in 1976, new figures show.

The latest official homicide statistics show there were 57 people killed in 2023-24 - up five from the previous year.

Since 2004, the number of homicide victims has dropped by 58%, down from 137.

The figures suggest the rate of decline in the past decade has slowed.

The latest statistics show Glasgow City had 10 homicide victims, the highest of any region in Scotland.

It accounted for 18% of Scotland's homicides despite only making up 12% of the population.

However, Glasgow has also seen the rate of homicides reduce faster than in the rest of Scotland over the past 20 years.

The report found that 44 of the victims were men and 13 were women.

Men were by far the most likely to be accused of committing the crimes (81%).

The majority of victims were said to have been known to their killer.

Women were more likely to be killed by a partner or ex-partner whereas men were more commonly killed by an acquaintance.

Scotland's chief statistician said homicide victims between the ages of 16 and 24 saw the largest decrease over the 20-year period.

In the five years between 2004-05 and 2008-09, there were 125 victims in this age range. This dropped to 29 between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

The report said this had not been the same for England and Wales which had a substantially higher average rate of victims in this age range.

The latest figures also showed that nine children under the age of 16 were victims of homicide, with four of them killed by parents.

The most common method of killing was with a sharp instrument, like a knife, the report said.

It said there were 33 victims killed because of drug related issues.

While shooting is rare in Scotland there were two victims killed by this method recorded in the past year.

Victim Support Scotland chief executive Kate Wallace said she was "saddened" by the rise in Scotland's homicide figures.

She said: "Behind every one of these statistics, there is a life lost and a family that has had their lives irrevocably changed."

Ms Wallace said the focus should be to understand the devastating impact of homicide and to help families by providing the right support.