Rise in girl crime puts strain on system
18 Sep 06
Hearing system struggling to cope with 40% rise in girl offenders in five years
A rise in the number of young females caught committing crime is putting a strain on the children's hearing system and social work departments, according to an article in today's Herald.
Figures have shown that the number of girls involved in crime has increased by more thna 40% in five years - although boys are still three times more likely to be referred to the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration for offending.
In 2005-06, more than 4,500 females were referred to the children's hearing system for offending. In 2000-01 the number was less than 3,000.
Many of those committing crimes have been known to the authorities for years, with about 29% of persistent offenders having come to the notice of the children's hearing system on welfare issues at a very young age.
A 2004 study found that girls are more likely to steal from home, play truant or write graffiti, whereas most housebreakings, robberies, breaking into cars and weapons offences are committed by boys.
However, children's panel chairs report a rise in more serious offences by girls, with a "laddish culture" leading to more assaults and fights over boyfriends.