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 referrals to the children’s reporter on offence grounds
| Year | Number |
|---|---|
| 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 2024 – 31 March 2025
Last updated: June 2025
Next Update due: June 2026
Expanded Content
In 2024/25, 254 fewer (down 9.4%) children were referred on offence grounds than in 2023/24. 2024/25 data is a 13.8% decrease from 2019/20. The age of criminal responsibility was raised from eight to twelve in 2021.The impending Children’s Care and Justice Act will mean that more 16&17 year olds will be entering the Children’s Hearings System (probably from 2027) which will result in an increase in this measure.