The police recorded 20.4 crimes per 1,000 people a year in Portlethen from January 2023 to December 2025, 63% lower than the typical Scottish town's 54.4. The most common was violence and sexual offences, at 6.4. In the 12 months to December 2025 it was 22.6, up from 17.9 in the 12 months to December 2023.