Revealing the 10 most dangerous places in Scotland (2025 study)

Beneath Scotland’s picturesque landscapes and charming towns lies a sinister truth that many prefer to ignore: from the bustling streets of Glasgow to the quiet beaches of the Highlands, crime lurks around every corner, waiting to strike unsuspecting victims.

In a shocking revelation, We unveil the 10 most dangerous places in Scotlandwhere violence, theft, and illegal activities are rampant.

(Overly Dramatic Mode: ON) 😜

Get ready as we take you on a chilling journey through the dark side of this seemingly idyllic nation, revealing the horrific truth that the authorities have tried to hide.

(Actually no, We have taken this data directly from the Scottish Police Data WarehouseIt’s very transparent and we like that, but the sentence looks better that way).

Prepare to be shocked and appalled as we discover a seedy side of Scotland that might make you think twice before your next visit (Or no, read to the end! Don’t miss the last part).

An overview of crime in Scotland

Based on statistics provided in the Scottish Government report “Recorded crime in Scotland: year ending June 2025”Here is an overview of crime in Scotland and its growth:

Total crime

• The total number of crimes recorded by police in Scotland in the year ending June 2025 was 303,343, which is 1% more than the previous year.

Violent crimes

• Non-sexual violent crimes increased by 1% compared to the previous year (increase from 71,349 to 71,915 crimes) and by 12% compared to 2021 (increase from 64,080 to 71,915 crimes).
• Murders and premeditated murders decreased by 39% compared to the previous year (from 57 to 35 crimes), and decreased by 39% from the year ending in June 2021 (from 57 to 35 crimes).
• However, rates of serious assaults and attempted murders decreased compared to the previous year and 2019.

Sexual crimes

• Sexual crimes increased by 5% compared to the previous year (increase from 14,417 to 15,129 crimes) and by 9% compared to 2021 (increase from 13,939 to 15,129 crimes).
• Increases were recorded in cases of rape/attempted rape, sexual assault, and threats or disclosure of intimate images.

Crimes of breach of trust

• Dishonesty offenses were less than 1% higher than in the previous year (increase from 112,384 to 112,421 offences) but were 26% higher than in 2021 (increase from 89,259 to 112,421 offences).
• Home invasions decreased by 19% compared to the previous year.

While some crime categories have shown a decline, the overall trend indicates an increase in recorded criminal activity in many areas across Scotland compared to recent years. The statistics highlight crimes such as violence, sexual offenses and dishonesty as areas of particular concern.

Top 10 most dangerous areas in Scotland

City of Glasgow It had the highest rate of total recorded crime at 829 per 10,000 population in 2024-25, indicating that it is potentially the most dangerous place in Scotland relative to its population size.

It was followed closely City of Dundee A rate of 783 crimes per 10,000 people.

Adapting to population size, several smaller areas e.g (West Dunbartonshire)., Inverclyde and Ayrshire Crime rates surpassed some of Scotland’s largest cities in this period.

Below is a list of the 10 most dangerous areas in Scotland and a detailed chart below containing all the local authorities in the country.

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Methodology: How crime data was collected

The crime statistics in this report have been compiled by the Scottish Government from data recorded in Police Scotland’s central source of evidence-based policing (SEBP) IT system.

To ensure accurate year-on-year comparisons, data for each year of the SEBP were extracted at consistent annual intervals – the 2024-2025 figures were extracted in June 2025, while data for previous years were extracted retrospectively at an equivalent point in time for those years in question.

This methodology allows for a like-for-like comparison by taking a snapshot of crimes recorded at the same point each year, taking into account any late amendments or updates to crime records.

While the underlying data comes from Police Scotland’s live reporting system, the statistics are post-processed and analyzed by the Scottish Government before being published as official figures for recorded crime in the country.

Is Scotland really a dangerous city?

While areas such as Dundee and Glasgow had among the highest crime rates per capita, it is important to keep in mind that Scotland as a whole remains a very safe place.

Even in these areas, the vast majority of people go about their daily lives without any incident.

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As long as you remain aware of your surroundings, avoid secluded areas at night, don’t expose valuables unnecessarily, and take common sense precautions, There is no need to be afraid when visiting or living in these parts of Scotland.

Some general safety tips include sticking to well-lit major streets when walking at night, keeping windows and doors closed in your home or car, not being suspicious of the unwanted approach of strangers, and knowing where your nearest police station is.

Situational awareness is key – if something seems wrong, trust your instincts and move away from any situations or areas that may be unsafe.

By exercising sensible caution, you can greatly reduce any risks and enjoy everything Scotland has to offer.

Before you go, head over to our guide to all 25 reasons to visit Scotland, then round up everything Scotland is famous for.

Also, if you are planning your first trip to Scotland, here are the worst places to visit in Scotland for first-time tourists.

Data source: Registered crime in Scotland Based on the Scottish Police Data Repository