JUST one in five housebreakings are being cracked in Scotland’s worst hotspot for the crime, we can reveal.
Last year saw Edinburgh emerge as the worst place in the country for burglaries, for the second year in a row.
Its 1,416 housebreakings in 2024 represented a rate of 27 crimes per 10,000 population.
Second worst of 32 council areas was Dundee, with 354 incidents meaning a rate of 23.7. Third was East Lothian, fourth Midlothian, and fifth Glasgow.
Official figures from the Scottish Government show Edinburgh and Dundee have been the worst two council areas in Scotland for the past five years.
And for 2023/24 – the latest available figures from the government – Edinburgh had the second-lowest clear-up rate in the country for housebreaking, with only 18.1 per cent of cases solved.
The details emerged after the chair of the Scottish Police Federation, David Threadgold, warned that a lack of investment in Police Scotland had led to large areas of the country becoming “policing deserts” with “an almost invisible policing presence”.
Last night, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP Sue Webber said: “Brutal SNP cuts to police budgets mean they clearly cannot get a grip of this housebreaking epidemic in Edinburgh.
“That leaves many city residents at the mercy of offenders who know the police are simply unable to investigate every crime.”
And Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill added that housebreaking was “rife” in too many areas.
She said: “The SNP must show some leadership and support Police Scotland to tackle housebreaking and deal with this postcode lottery so that Scots can feel safe in their own homes.”
Edinburgh Western MSP and Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “This is a double blow for Edinburgh households. Large numbers of break ins and low clearance rates leave people feeling unsafe in their own homes.”
A total of 7,850 incidents were recorded in Scotland in 2024. But housebreaking reports have fallen nationally in the past decade, in line with wider crime trends.
Other factors behind the drop are thought to include better home security and a fall in price of electronic goods meaning rewards are no longer great enough for some to take the risk.
Top 5 Worst Areas for Housebreaking Rates
- City of Edinburgh (27.1)
- Dundee City (23.7)
- East Lothian (20.6)
- Midlothian (19)
- Glasgow City (17)
(Housebreaking rates in Scotland, 2024, per 10,000 population)
However, housebreaking rates vary widely across the country.
People living in rural and island areas appear least at risk. In 2024, the Western Isles recorded just five housebreakings, giving it the lowest rate in Scotland at 1.9 crimes per 10,000 people.
Shetland was second best with seven crimes, or three per 10,000 people. Orkney was third best with eight crimes, or a population rate of 3.6.
The housebreaking incidents included raids on homes, “non-dwellings” such as garages or sheds, and “other premises” like businesses.
Police Scotland yesterday said they had a specialist team tackling housebreaking in Edinburgh and claimed their detection rate had increased in the last year.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: “We understand the impact that housebreaking has on victims and work is ongoing in both Edinburgh and Dundee to address this through local policing plans and by working with neighbouring divisions.
“Housebreaking is not just people’s homes, it can also be garages, sheds and commercial properties.
Top 5 Best Areas for Housebreaking Rates
- Na h-Eileanan Siar (1.9)
- Shetland Islands (3)
- Orkney Islands (3.6)
- Aberdeenshire (5.6)
- Moray (6.7)
(Housebreaking rates in Scotland, 2024, per 10,000 population)
“We have a dedicated team working in Edinburgh and the detection rates for these crimes, particularly in relation to people’s homes, has increased in the past year. The work ongoing in Tayside has resulted in the detection rate increasing to the highest it has been in five years.
“Information from the public, and their support in keeping communities safe has been a key contributor to this success. A close-knit community can be an effective deterrent against crime so get to know your neighbours and watch out for each other.
“We would also remind people to please be mindful of security. It’s crucial to keep valuables safe and out of sight. Stay vigilant and take small steps to enhance security and protect your property.
“Trust your instincts. If you see something suspicious, please report it to police.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Although of little comfort to those affected, housebreaking has fallen by 74 per cent since 2006-07, with overall recorded crime at one of the lowest levels since 1974 and down 40% since 2006-07.
“Housebreaking is one of the priority areas of the Scottish Partnership Against Acquisitive Crime led by Police Scotland which aims to prevent, deter and ensure enforcement around this kind of crime.”
