Jim Wallace: Custody "appropriate"

Senior police officers have expressed concern that any changes might result in young offenders being punished less severely.

After the conference, his comments were welcomed by ASPS president, Chief Supt Shanks, who said 18 and 19-year-olds had no place in a children's hearing system and urged Mr Wallace to scrap any such proposals.

"I was encouraged by his assurances that it would only apply to first-time offenders and those who need it," he said.

"It is fair to say there are genuine concerns within communities about the impact of youth crime and repeat offenders and it is important that we recognise there needs to be something with them to break that cycle."

'Young thugs'

First Minister Jack McConnell said the Scottish Executive was committed to dealing effectively with youth crime.

Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr McConnell said: "We are determined collectively to ensure that we tackle the whole issue of youth crime from the younger ages right through to the late teens to ensure we get some of these young thugs off the streets.

"The biggest problem we have in Scotland is that we have the worst record for re-offending of almost any country in Europe."

Jack McConnell: "Worst record for re-offending"

Dealing effectively with youth crime was of paramount importance, he added.

Mr McConnell said that learning the difference from right and wrong was crucial in helping those youngsters turn their backs on a life of crime.

"I had a women in my constituency whose door was opened and a group of teenagers lifted the food off the plates of her young children and the police seemed unable to tackle that particular instance.

"We need to tackle such instances and need better co-ordination between the police, court system and social workers and that is exactly what we are going to do.

"It is my job as first minister to respond to public concerns and to make sure the key issues of any given time are being properly addressed by the full team of ministers."