Dumfries and Galloway sees spike in sexual offences
Police have reported a 30% increase in sexual crime
Last updated 26th Nov 2025
New figures have revealed that 45 rapes were recorded in Dumfries and Galloway within the first six months of this year.
The regularity of attacks equates to a 30% increase compared to the five-year average – Police Scotland have confirmed.
Meanwhile, there are concerns that too many perpetrators are escaping justice as the detection rate is less than 50%.
A new crime report, due to be presented to councillors next week, shines a spotlight on the worrying rise in reported rapes.
The report, which covers April 1 to September 30 this year, has been signed off by Chief Superintendent Steven Meikle, Divisional Commander for Dumfries and Galloway.
It states: “A total of 45 crimes of rape are recorded, which is 30% (10 crimes) higher than the five-year average.
“The detection rate is 49%, 13 percentage points lower than the five-year average.”
The number of recorded rape incidents for the first six months of this year is 11 higher than for the same period last year, and 15 more than the same six-month period in 2023/24.
It has also been revealed that sexual crime as a whole across the region is the worst it has been for the past six years.
The Police Scotland report states: “Overall sexual crime has increased by 22% (53 crimes) against the five-year average to a total of 298.
“The detection rate is 62%, the same level as the five-year average.”
However, the report underlines that “non-recent crimes” accounts for 29% (87 incidents) of the total recorded for the year.
Non-recent often means the abuse ended at least one year before it was reported. Victims of sexual crimes often find it difficult to report the abuse at the time it occurs.
The total number of crimes recorded in the region between April 1 to September 30 this year is 9,370 – an increase of 387 on the five-year average.
Police officers will attend the council’s police, fire, and rescue sub-committee next Tuesday afternoon to present the report and take questions from councillors.