Reduction in youth offending not enough
14 Jul 05
New figures published today show that only 14 of the 32 Scottish local authority areas have reduced the number of persistent young offenders.
A total of 14 local authority areas have reduced the number of persistent youth offenders in the last year, but it still isn’t enough according to the Scottish Executive.
The new data shows a reduction in persistent young offenders of between four and 50 per cent in the 14 areas, but Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson has set all agencies a target of reducing this figure by 120 from the baseline figure of 1,201 by March 2006. The number of persistent young offenders across Scotland in total has risen by 59.
The Scottish Executive has published an evaluation report on a recent pilot scheme which saw young people fast-tracked more quickly through the children’s hearing system. Money previously allocated to this pilot in six local authority areas will now be rolled out to support progress in the 32 local authority areas.
The most significantly improved results were seen in Angus, East Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.
Ms Jamieson said: “We now need improved results in some parts of the country to become universal delivery across the country – and hard-pressed communities need to see that quickly.”