 It is a small minority of young people who persistently offend |
Youth groups have warned against a "knee jerk" reaction to the problem of anti-social behaviour among Scotland's young people. Ministers are currently consulting on a new strategy to deal with the problem of youth crime.
However, children's agencies are concerned that the plans are too hard line and may not address the causes of offending.
YouthLink Scotland and Children in Scotland are holding a consultation event in Stirling focusing on the key issues raised by the Scottish Executive's consultation document.
Persistent offenders
Earlier this year, First Minister Jack McConnell promised to draw a line in the sand against anti-social youth behaviour.
He unveiled the executive's draft strategy in June, saying it contained tough and effective sanctions for persistent offenders.
These included plans for electronic tagging and community reparation orders for under 16s.
Key provisions also included anti-social behaviour orders for under 16s and locking up parents who refuse to take responsibility for their children's behaviour.
Jennifer Turpie, director of policy and research at Children in Scotland, said: "Even at this early stage we have a number of concerns about the strategy.
"It is vital that the Scottish Executive adopts an approach which addresses the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour and does not exacerbate the problems already faced by vulnerable young people and families.
"There is no quick fix to anti-social behaviour and the executive must avoid a knee jerk reaction to this complex social problem."
Simon Jacqet, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, said: "We recognise the need to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour but it is crucial to highlight the fact that it is a small minority of young people who persistently offend."
Consultation period
Mr Jacqet said that there were about one million children under 16 in Scotland and just 0.1% were persistent offenders.
The executive said it would take on board any issues raised during the consultation period before publishing a draft bill in the autumn.
It also announced that local authorities were to get more cash to spend on youth justice.
At present councils across Scotland get a total of �10m a year to be spent on youth justice services.
But next year this will go up to �13m and to �15m the following year, said justice minister Cathy Jamieson.
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There is no quick fix to anti-social behaviour and the executive must avoid a knee jerk reaction to this complex social problem. 
