The Children's Reporters have today issued figures showing large increases in the number of young offenders being referred to them
The Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson, had previously set a target of a ten percent reduction in persistent young offenders. Commenting today, SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson, who is Shadow Deputy Minister commented:
"This is a sad indictment of a failing Executive. They must stop putting the blame on other agencies and recognise that they have ultimate authority.
"They are in charge, they set the policy and it is them that under fund and under resource necessary and vital organisations.
"The Executive must concentrate not simply on locking up young offenders, but on tackling the scourge of drinks, drugs and deprivation that scar our Scottish communities and blight a huge part of a generation."
This web site will no longer be updated save to correct errors.