Scotland has some of the lowest recorded crime rates in the UK. The Highlands and Islands (Shetland, Orkney, Na h-Eileanan Siar) consistently top the list, with rates well under 250 crimes per 10,000 people. Even Scotland's higher-crime urban authorities are broadly comparable to mid-range English cities. The figures below come from the Scottish Government's recorded-crime data for 2024-25.
We've ranked 32 Scottish local authorities by recorded crime rate per 10,000 residents. The safest area is Shetland Islands at 180 per 10,000.
The ranking: 32 Scottish areas by crime rate
Sorted lowest crime first. Recorded crime rate is the number of crimes per 10,000 people from official police-recorded data.
| # | Area | Crime / 10k | Monthly cost | Avg salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shetland Islands | 180 | £1,094/mo | £35,716 |
| 2 | Na h-Eileanan Siar | 220 | £1,095/mo | £28,746 |
| 3 | Orkney Islands | 234 | £1,105/mo | £31,737 |
| 4 | East Dunbartonshire | 242 | £1,314/mo | £38,000 |
| 5 | East Renfrewshire | 264 | £1,105/mo | £39,965 |
| 6 | Aberdeenshire | 290 | £1,185/mo | £33,799 |
| 7 | Scottish Borders | 390 | £1,051/mo | £28,796 |
| 8 | Argyll and Bute | 395 | £1,168/mo | £30,436 |
| 9 | Perth and Kinross | 398 | £1,101/mo | £31,851 |
| 10 | Stirling | 399 | £1,193/mo | £33,832 |
| 11 | Angus | 408 | £1,152/mo | £30,681 |
| 12 | East Lothian | 418 | £1,618/mo | £33,737 |
| 13 | Moray | 418 | £1,188/mo | £26,943 |
| 14 | Highland | 434 | £1,103/mo | £31,416 |
| 15 | South Ayrshire | 462 | £1,057/mo | £33,986 |
| 16 | South Lanarkshire | 489 | £1,118/mo | £34,293 |
| 17 | Midlothian | 504 | £1,626/mo | £31,856 |
| 18 | Falkirk | 506 | £1,190/mo | £32,330 |
| 19 | Fife | 506 | £1,120/mo | £32,445 |
| 20 | Clackmannanshire | 509 | £1,188/mo | £31,992 |
| 21 | Inverclyde | 515 | £1,109/mo | £29,020 |
| 22 | Renfrewshire | 518 | £1,110/mo | £32,832 |
| 23 | East Ayrshire | 533 | £1,058/mo | £33,117 |
| 24 | Dumfries and Galloway | 534 | £1,001/mo | £29,649 |
| 25 | West Lothian | 546 | £1,194/mo | £33,302 |
| 26 | North Lanarkshire | 567 | £1,085/mo | £34,105 |
| 27 | North Ayrshire | 569 | £1,056/mo | £34,689 |
| 28 | Aberdeen | 629 | £1,189/mo | £32,399 |
| 29 | West Dunbartonshire | 657 | £1,147/mo | £31,962 |
| 30 | Edinburgh | 728 | £1,614/mo | £37,380 |
| 31 | Dundee | 783 | £1,160/mo | £30,523 |
| 32 | Glasgow | 829 | £1,425/mo | £32,121 |
32 areas with published crime data covered. Areas without reliable crime data are excluded.
Top 10 safest Scottish areas, in detail
The most remote UK local authority, with Britain's lowest recorded crime rate. Oil-and-gas wealth keeps earnings unusually high.
See the full crime breakdown on the Shetland Islands area profile.
The Western Isles (Outer Hebrides). Gaelic-speaking communities, fishing and crofting economy.
See the full crime breakdown on the Na h-Eileanan Siar area profile.
Island archipelago off the north coast. Small population, low crime, and an unusually strong cultural infrastructure.
See the full crime breakdown on the Orkney Islands area profile.
Affluent commuter authority north of Glasgow; consistently one of the safest urban-fringe areas in Scotland.
See the full crime breakdown on the East Dunbartonshire area profile.
Another wealthy Glasgow commuter authority. Excellent schools and very low crime.
See the full crime breakdown on the East Renfrewshire area profile.
A Scottish authority with a low recorded crime rate. Typically a smaller-population area or a suburban/rural district.
See the full crime breakdown on the Aberdeenshire area profile.
The hill country south of Edinburgh. Rural and small-town, with a direct rail link to Edinburgh from Galashiels.
See the full crime breakdown on the Scottish Borders area profile.
A Scottish authority with a low recorded crime rate. Typically a smaller-population area or a suburban/rural district.
See the full crime breakdown on the Argyll and Bute area profile.
A Scottish authority with a low recorded crime rate. Typically a smaller-population area or a suburban/rural district.
See the full crime breakdown on the Perth and Kinross area profile.
A Scottish authority with a low recorded crime rate. Typically a smaller-population area or a suburban/rural district.
See the full crime breakdown on the Stirling area profile.
Regional context
Scottish crime data uses a slightly different classification from England and Wales (some Scottish 'antisocial offences' are recorded separately and don't appear in the public-order category). Cross-border comparisons should be treated as directional rather than precise. Within Scotland, the figures are fully comparable.
A note on the data
Crime rates are based on recorded crimes per 10,000 residents from the Home Office (England and Wales, year ending December 2025) or the Scottish Government (Scotland, 2024-25). Recording practices vary between police forces and recorded crime doesn't capture unreported crime. These figures are a directional indicator of police activity and reported incidents rather than a complete picture of crime in an area. Explore our UK crime map for a visual view.