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 for 1919 Magazine, 13 per cent of people in Scotland said crime has risen a lot in the past two years and a further 21 per cent said it has gone up a little.
Only 11 per cent 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”.
However, she said Scotland “continues to be a safe place to live with reported crime falling by more than half since 1991”.
Police Scotland added that Chief Constable Jo Farrell is “very clear about the priority of strengthening the front line”.
“This SNP government has failed to back Police Scotland, just as it has allowed public services to decline”
But opposition parties warned of an “epidemic of serious violence” and called for measures to “restore confidence in our policing and justice system”.
And 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.
“If the government is genuinely concerned about policing and the electorate’s perception of crime, then it should take heed of this poll,” he said.
“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 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 per cent said a lot more or a little more, 44 per cent said ‘about the same’, and 11 per cent 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 per cent) said they are not confident there are resources to prevent crime happening in the first place, while 49 per cent said the same for dealing with incidents as they occur.
In terms of solving crimes, there was a more even split – with 43 per cent expressing confidence and 46 per cent stating the opposite.
Asked about the visibility of cops in their community, only 33 per cent 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.”
She added: “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.”
“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”
Justice Secretary Angela Constance
Scottish Conservative community safety spokesperson Sharon Dowey MSP also raised concerns.
She said: “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.”
However, 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 acknowledged.
But she added: “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 year we will invest £4.2 billion across the justice system including a record £1.64 billion for policing – an increase of £90 million 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.”
According to the official statistics published by the government, the recording of crime remains below the position immediately prior to the Covid pandemic and down 51 per cent from its peak in 1991.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We welcome scrutiny and the Chief Constable is very clear about the priority of strengthening the front line as part of our vision of safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce.
“We are delivering on those ambitions including plans for a strengthened community policing model.
“Over a period of many years Scotland has experienced less crime. However, we are not complacent and work in partnership to ensure the country remains a safe place to live and work.”