Wildlife Crime in Scotland 2024: Offences Fall After Previous Rise

The latest “Wildlife Crime in Scotland 2024” statistics show that recorded offences have shifted noticeably over the past three years. Wildlife crime rose by 15% between 2022–23 and 2023–24, before falling sharply by 27%.

The latest figures show that while the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service dealt with 72 wildlife crime cases in 2023–24—with most resulting in alternatives to prosecution and around a third proceeding to court—the wider analysis reveals that half of those convicted in recent years had previous non‑wildlife convictions, rising to more than three‑quarters among individuals convicted of hunting with dogs.

Key findings:

• The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service handled 72 wildlife crime cases in 2023–24.
  • 42% resulted in an alternative to prosecution.
  • 35% went to court.
  • Of those prosecuted, 64% resulted in conviction, 28% in acquittal, and 8% were pending.
• Half of those convicted of a wildlife offence between 2019–20 and 2023–24 had at least one non‑wildlife conviction in the previous decade.
• For people convicted of hunting with dogs, the overlap with other offending was even higher: 76% had previous convictions for crimes such as assault or threatening and abusive behaviour.

What’s new in the 2024 report

• Some data, including recorded crime, is now available a year earlier, giving a more up‑to‑date picture.
• New analysis links wildlife offenders to their previous criminal history, offering clearer insight into patterns of behaviour.

These improvements help build a fuller understanding of wildlife crime and support efforts to protect Scotland’s wildlife more effectively.

For anyone wanting to explore the full dataset, analysis and context, the Scottish Government has published the complete report here.