Crap Towns / Lerwick / Crime

How much crime is there in Lerwick?

The police recorded 44.3 crimes per 1,000 people a year in Lerwick from January 2023 to December 2025, 19% lower than the typical Scottish town's 54.4. The most common was violence and sexual offences, at 15.7. In the 12 months to December 2025 it was 45.9, down from 48.8 in the 12 months to December 2023.

Over time
PeriodHereTypical Scottish town
January 2023 to December 202348.853.2
January 2024 to December 202438.252.2
January 2025 to December 202545.955.9
By type
CrimeHereTypical Scottish town
Violence and sexual offences15.715.1
Drugs10.03.9
Criminal damage and arson7.37.2
Other crime5.38.0
Shoplifting1.76.8
Other theft1.64.3
Possession of weapons0.92.0
Vehicle crime0.71.6
Burglary0.61.8
Bicycle theft0.30.2
Robbery0.20.3
Public order––
Theft from the person––
Nearby towns
TownDistanceCrimes per 1,000 people a year
Fraserburgh279.4 km70.9
Elgin305.6 km67.3
Peterhead297.8 km58.9
Buckie295.2 km50.5
Lerwick–44.3
Wick219.5 km35.8
Thurso220.0 km35.7
Kirkwall165.5 km34.6
Forres317.0 km31.9
Lossiemouth298.1 km28.8
Ellon314.8 km24.9
The typical Scottish town–54.4