New figures show Edinburgh recorded 41,219 crimes last year; shoplifting top offence

# What the new figures say June 2026 shows 41,219 crimes reported in Edinburgh. That total works out to roughly one reported crime every 12 minutes and 46 seconds.

Shoplifting was the single largest category. The report lists 11,409 shoplifting incidents — about 3.5 times the number recorded in 2022. The scale of that increase is highlighted separately in local coverage and has become a central focus of debate about policing and retail crime in the city.

# Reaction and immediate response Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, described the figures as "extremely worrying" and called for an urgent crackdown on crime in the capital. Local reporting links that call to the sharp rise in shoplifting and to wider concerns about the city's overall crime trajectory.

# What the numbers show about trends The raw totals point to two clear patterns in the available data:

The release groups many specific offences into broader categories, so headline totals can mask differences within each category (for example, varying trends among different types of theft or assault). The figures cited are the reported incidents recorded in the year ending June 2026.

# What this means for people in Edinburgh For residents and businesses, the data provides a snapshot of which crimes are most often reported. Retail operators are likely to focus on shoplifting rates and loss-prevention measures. Community groups and individuals concerned about personal safety will note the number of assault reports. The decrease in vandalism suggests some local progress on that front, but the overall totals make clear that several crime types remain significant.

# Where the conversation is heading Local politicians have used the figures to press for policy changes and visible policing. The immediate public debate centers on enforcement and prevention: calls for a "crackdown" have been made publicly, and coverage has linked the statistics to policy questions around policing resources, criminal justice policy, and support for businesses affected by theft.

# Bottom line June 2026 records 41,219 crimes in Edinburgh. Shoplifting is the most common reported offence (11,409 incidents), followed by common assault and vandalism. The figures have triggered political reaction and renewed scrutiny of how the city and police respond to rising theft reports and other public-safety concerns.