Persistent young offenders rise

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The number of persistent young offenders in Scotland has risen by 15%, new statistics have suggested.

Figures from the Scottish Children's Reporter showed that between July and September, 950 youths were classed as persistent offenders.

That is up 15% from the same period last year, when the number was 828.

The justice minister said a dedicated team would ensure each local authority had "robust plans" in place by the end of January to tackle the problem.

Cathy Jamieson said she was "bitterly disappointed" that the number had risen in half of Scotland's 32 local authorities.

"All the indicators show that across Scotland crime is falling - from housebreaking to robbery, right through to homicides," she said.

"But within that improving picture there remain real challenges - like the hardcore minority of youths who continue to reoffend and disrupt too many of our communities."

We need real action to tackle crime, not more meaningless and failing gimmicks Kenny MacAskillSNP justice spokesman

Ms Jamieson said ministers had committed a record £63m a year to youth justice.

The Scottish Executive also established a youth justice improvement team of professionals to try to address the problem.

The team, made up of senior social workers, police leaders and council representatives, has been drawing up plans since its formation this summer.

It will visit every council over the next month to see what can be done to tackle the problem.

Ms Jamieson said: "I am not prepared to write off any young person in Scotland.

"But neither am I prepared to allow a young person's unchecked behaviour to write off a community and threaten the increasingly safer communities we are building."

'Quick fix'

Councillor Eric Jackson, Cosla's social work spokesman, described the increase as disappointing.

But he said: "There is no quick fix here and all of us working in this area recognise that we are in this for the long haul.

"Tackling the small number of young people who offend is essential and councils are working hard to put in place appropriate measures to do this - particularly to prevent young people from offending in the first place.

"We must put in place a range of measures to identify why young people become involved in offending - that is a matter for the whole community."

Kenny MacAskill, the SNP's justice spokesman, said Labour were "failing to protect Scottish communities".

"We need real action to tackle crime and protect our families and communities, not more meaningless and failing gimmicks like hit squads, Asbos and dispersal orders which have clearly made not a jot of difference in this instance," he said.