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 | | Friday, 17 May, 2002, 09:05 GMT 10:05 UK Nationalists join youth crime debate  Youth crime has become a hot political issue The Scottish National Party has entered the political debate over youth crime with a pledge to double the number of secure places in Scotland for young offenders. The problem of youth crime is emerging as a significant issue as political parties prepare their manifestos for next year's Scottish parliamentary elections. The SNP's pledge comes just days after the BBC revealed that Labour was looking at the idea of special fast-track courts for persistent youth offenders. Party leader John Swinney said the SNP was determined to rid Scotland's communities of the menace of youth crime.
At present there are 96 secure accommodation places for young offenders under the age of 16. The SNP wants to increase the number to 200, at a cost of �20m. The party would also oblige parents of young offenders to pay compensation, either in cash or through carrying out community service. Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme Mr Swinney said that youth crime was a concern for most communities across Scotland. "I think the Scottish Executive is very uncertain about where to go on this issue," he said. 'Imaginative solutions' "Over the past year, the SNP has made it clear the type of measures we believe need to be taken. "We need to guarantee more secure accommodation places to tackle the problem of youth crime and an appropriate destination for the serial offenders who are causing such problems in our communities." The most important thing, said Mr Swinney, was getting youngsters to take responsibility for their actions. A lack of parental control in many communities had to be dealt with quickly and effectively, he added. "Youth crime is not just committed by poor people, but from all sections of our society and what is important is that we tackle the problem in an effective way. "The SNP recognises now that we have a much deeper problem within our society in relation to youth crime. "The first minister admitted on Thursday that the whole system of youth crime wasn't working, so it means that we have to come up with more imaginative solutions."
Other plans, still in preparation, could include tougher treatment for persistent teenage offenders, matching Mr McConnell's plans for youth courts. The first minister's idea of specialist youth courts for young offenders caused confusion at Holyrood where the Scottish Executive acted to distance itself from what was said to be a Labour party plan. Party insiders say that children's hearings are too soft and have a social work ethos. Mr McConnell said a special youth court, similar in concept to the new drugs courts, could specialise in dealing with serious and persistent teenage offenders. He described youth crime as "an extremely serious issue the length and breadth of Scotland". His concern over the levels of youth crime has also led him to set up a ministerial group to study options for dealing with the issue. | |
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