D Drugs and criminal justice
D1 Drug related offences and court proceedings
Key Points 2003/04
Overview
- In 2004, there were 42 384 drug-related offences recorded by Scottish police forces, which is a rate of 835 per 100 000 population (Table D1.1).
- In 2004, 77 per cent (32 774) of drug-related offences were for possession. A further 22 per cent (9 147) were for possession with intent to supply (Table D1.2).
- The number of persons convicted of drug offences in Scottish Courts in 2003 was 7 105. Seventy-seven per cent were for possession (5 448) and 22 per cent were for possession with intent to supply (1 565) (Table D1.3).
- Just over three quarters (78) of those persons convicted of possession received a fine, while just over a half of those persons convicted of possession with intent to supply were given a custodial sentence (Table D1.4).
Five year trends - 2000 to 2004 Drug-related offences
- Between 2000 and 2002, the annual number of drug-related offences increased by 28 per cent, from 31 431 to 40 379. In 2003 the number remained stable and in 2004 rose by five per cent to 42 384. This represents an overall increase of 35 per cent in the last 5 years (Table D1.1).
Five year trends - 1999 to 2003 Drug-related court proceedings
- From 1999 to 2003 the number of persons convicted of drug offences in Scottish courts increased from 6 439 to 7 105, representing a ten per cent increase in the past 5 years (Table D1.3).
- Since 1999 the majority of persons convicted of drug offences were male (around 87%), with an average age of 27 years (Table D1.3 and Table D1.4).
Geographical profile
- In 2004 the rate of drug-related offences recorded per 100 000 population was highest in Glasgow City (1 684), Inverclyde (1 485) and West Dunbartonshire (1 187) (Table D1.1).
- All council areas have experienced an overall rate increase in drug related offences per 100 000 population between 2000 and 2004; the only exception was Renfrewshire East and Renfrewshire which both showed a reduction (Table D1.1).
Background information
Recorded crime
Statistics on drug-related offences recorded by the police are available from quarterly statistical returns made by the Scottish police forces to the Scottish Executive Justice Department. For further information see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/10/19155942/59429
Criminal proceedings in
Scottish Courts
Statistics on persons convicted for drug-related offences are available from the Scottish Executive Justice Department’s court proceedings database. For further information see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00312-00.asp
The data is derived from information held on the police operational computer at the Scottish Criminal Record office (SCRO).
Offences are recorded in the year in which the offender was sentenced, which may not necessarily be the year in which the offence was committed. Where a person is proceeded against for more than one crime or offence, only the main charge is counted, (i.e. the one with the severest penalty). The drug related court proceeding figures for 2004 were not available at time of publication.
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