Key Insights - Children & Young People

Children and Young people are an important part of the communities Police Scotland serve. There are about one million children under the age of 18 in Scotland with young people usually described as between 18 and 24. Police Scotland is committed to working with all members of our community.

Any connection to an act of violence is a traumatic occasion for any child or young person. Understanding the data, trends and insights into violence involving children and young people supports our ability to make a positive difference. There were 13,695 violent crimes recorded last year where a young person was identified as an accused, the majority (63.2%) were common assaults and a further 31.7% were for threatening or abusive behaviour. These two crime types account for 19 out of 20 of violent crimes where a young person has been identified as an accused.

Just over a quarter of these crimes are committed in an open space, and just under a quarter in residential schools/accommodation. The third most likely location is educational premises which account for approximately 10% of youth-accused violent crime where a location-type is identified.

Youth violence and antisocial behaviour are complex issues shaped by a variety of social, psychological and environmental factors. Addressing these issues requires an understanding of the underlying causes, broader societal issues and individual challenges that young people may face. The undernoted graph highlights how the rate of offending in children rises through age 11 to 14 years. This rise can be attributed to several interconnected factors including but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, lack of social and emotional support and the increased use of technology and social media.

TABLE IN REPORT TITLED: NUMBER OF VIOLENT CRIMES FOR WHICH A YOUNG PERSON WAS ACCUSED - 2023/24

In addressing this challenge Police Scotland has focussed on children and young people through a prevention lens, working with partners to support early intervention with an approach that seeks to recognise and mitigate these identified societal impacts. For example, the Public Health Approach to Learning (PHAL) aims to improve health and wellbeing and reduce attainment inequality among school-aged children and young people through collaborative action to support schools in Scotland.

Police Scotland is involved, where appropriate, in the development, provision and delivery of educational resources within education settings across Scotland. Delivery of these resources builds positive relationships between the police and children and young people while supporting them to make positive choices and better understand the impact crime can have on our communities. The Policing Together Children and Young Persons team host a wealth of resources and links to external partner resources on our own internal site as well as in partnership with I Am Me Scotland on their own free to access platform.

Prevention and early intervention must remain at the core of our approach. There is however an important role in enforcement as we work hard to protect our communities, and to deter children and young people from violent incidents. Tackling violence and ASB when it occurs remains a critical aspect of the policing approach. For example, Police Scotland is currently planning and preparing Operation Moonbeam to prevent, mitigate and tackle violence and ASB associated with bonfire night. Our enforcement activity continues to be informed by analysis, insights and intelligence and recognises the impact on children and young people, whether they are victims or accused persons.

Police Scotland National Stop Search Unit (NSSU), in conjunction with the SVRU and supported by Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum, are currently developing an awareness raising video on stop and search which is aimed at informing young people about the use of the tactic and the dangers of weapon carrying. Engagement sessions have involved a range of young people including those who are care-experienced, involved within the criminal justice system and from the BME community. This engagement is crucial for the voices of young people to be heard and reflected and has been instrumental in the video production.