Vision statement eight: “Scotland must stop locking up children who have often experienced the failures of the state in the provision of their care.
The number of young people entering young offenders’ institutions decreases.
Number of Children referred on offence grounds.
| Year | Number |
|---|---|
| 2025/26 | 2, 236 |
| 2024/25 | 2, 447 |
| 2023/24 | 2, 701 |
| 2022/23 | 2, 637 |
| 2021/22 | 2, 398 |
| 2020/21 | 2, 207 |
| 2019/20 | 2, 840 |
Notes
Reporting period: 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026
Last updated: June 2026
Next Update due: June 2027
Expanded Content
211 fewer children were referred on offence grounds (down 8.6%) than 2024/25. 2025/26 data is a 21.3% decrease from 2019/20.
The age of criminal responsibility was raised from eight to twelve in 2021.
Delays in the marking of joint cases by The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has impacted the indicator in 2025/26. 2026/27 may show an increase if the delayed cases are referred to The Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration (SCRA).