SNP told to end prisoner release 'madness' after 'disgraceful' sexual crimes and domestic abuse increase

New statistics point to soaring levels of crime in Scotland with rape and attempted rape increasing by more than 30 per cent in the space of four years and domestic abuse has soaring by 81 per cent over the same time period.

SNP Justice Secretary Neil Gray has admitted he is “extremely concerned” about the situation as Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, Stephen Kerr, called on him to “end the madness” over plans to release convicted domestic and sexual abusers to free up space in under-pressure prisons.

The latest crime statistics show a rise in the vast majority of crime types - while overall crime has increased by 7 per cent in the space of a year.

READ MORE: SNP urged to follow Burnham and exempt rapists from early release amid fears 'public safety at risk'

Official statistics show that as of June 2026, annual sexual crimes were nine per cent higher than June 2025, while there was an 11 per cent increase compared to June 2022. The data shows that 16,560 sexual crimes were committed in the 12 months to June 2026.

Rape and attempted rape has increased by 8 per cent in the space of a year to 3,240 crimes - with a 32 per cent increase from June 2022. The number of crimes involving sexual assault, communicating indecently, threatening to disclose intimate images, indent photos of children have all increased in the last 12 months.

Crimes under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act have increased by 19 per cent from 2,742 in 2025 to 3,264 in 2026 - with an 81 per cent increase from June 2022.

Funding for rape crisis support in Scotland has stood still while demand has increased, with campaigners calling on SNP ministers to back up commitments with more funding.

Stephen Kerr, said: “Scotland is becoming a lawless country on the SNP’s watch, and these figures are utterly disgraceful.

“After 19 years in power, crime is still going up, violent crime is at a four-year high and shoplifting has surged by 20 per cent in a single year. Most disturbingly, rape and attempted rape are up 32 per cent since 2022.

“Victims are being let down while criminals are being given more and more reasons to believe there are few consequences for their actions.”

Mr Kerr also levelled criticism at the SNP government for bringing forward plans to end the exemption of sexual offenders and domestic abusers from early release proposals - to free up space in Scotland’s over-capacity prisons.

“He must stop this madness immediately”, Mr Kerr said.

READ MORE: Violent and sexual criminals set for release after two third of sentence under SNP plans

Rape Crisis Scotland’s chief executive, Alev Taylor, said: “Scotland continues to let down survivors with increasing levels or rape and sexual violence, unacceptable wait times in the criminal justice process, and desperately underfunded support.

“There is a lack of investment in prevention and tackling the roots causes of sexual violence, however there is also a failure to address the situation we’re in right now. Increasing numbers of survivors are unable to access the support they need when they need it, and this cannot go on any longer.

“As reported sexual offences continue to rise, services which support survivors navigating the criminal justice system are struggling meet the demand. Over the past year, 13 out of 19 services across Scotland have been forced to operate waiting lists and at least 1,378 survivors have been forced to wait for the support they need.

“Last week the First Minister pledged his personal leadership to tackle violence against women and girls. It's time we saw that."

Non-sexual crimes of violence had also increased, rising by 7 per cent from 71,915 to 77,005 in the space of a year - with a 10 per cent increase from June 2022.

The statistics show that crimes of dishonesty were ten per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2025 , and 27 per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2022.

READ MORE: Victims of sexual offences face 'increased risk' amid prison reform plan

Murder and culpable homicide increased by 40 per cent compared to the previous year, from 35 to 49 crimes, but remained similar to those recorded in the year ending June 2022, from 50 to 49 crimes.

Crimes against society were five per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2025 and 15 per cent higher compared to the year ending June 2022.

Damage and reckless behaviour was 2 per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2025 and 15 per cent lower compared to the year ending June 2022.

Overall, police in Scotland recorded 323,531 crimes in the 12 months to June 2026. This was seven per cent higher than the 303,343 crimes recorded in the year ending June 2025 and 13 per cent higher than the 285,975 crimes recorded in the year ending June 2022.

“The SNP have weakened deterrence, piled pressure onto our police and repeatedly put the interests of offenders ahead of victims.”

Mr Gray said Scotland “remains a safe place to live”, adding that “recorded crime has fallen by almost half since its peak in 1991”.

But he added: “I am extremely concerned by the rise in sexual crimes and domestic abuse offences recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018.

“These are abhorrent crimes and, unfortunately, reflect a broader pattern seen across the UK.

“It is encouraging that more victims feel able to come forward and report offences, including historical crimes.

“Protecting victims and ensuring public safety are at the heart of our justice system, and we have taken action to strengthen confidence in that system by introducing legislation and ensuring that police, prosecutors and courts have the powers they need to bring perpetrators to justice.”