In quotes: Criminal age proposals

The age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is to be raised from eight to 12 as part of proposed wide-ranging justice reforms, ministers have confirmed.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who said it was more appropriate to deal with younger offenders in the children's hearings system, also wants to end the current practice where "unruly" children accused of serious offences can be put in prison.

Here is how various groups have reacted to the proposals:

"Acpos supports the move to increase the age at which children and young people can be prosecuted to 12.

We agree this strikes the right balance between the age a young person understands that their behaviour is harmful and their ability to understand court proceedings."

"Victim Support Scotland welcomes the Scottish Government's move to recognize the UN convention on the rights of the child on the age of criminal responsibility.

"The right balance is being struck to ensure there are still ways of dealing with crime committed by children and young people, while recognising they have no place within the prison system."

"These changes to the age of prosecution in Scotland reflect a real confidence in the children's hearings system.

"Many of these young people also come to our attention due to concerns about their welfare and the hearings system ensures they get the most appropriate form of intervention and support."

"To impose the full weight of criminal responsibility on a child as young as eight implies the interests of justice are best served by treating children of that age in precisely the same way as the system treats adults.

"That is plainly absurd. Raising the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland offers a more humane and effective response to tackling the complex issues that beset children in conflict with the law."

"I have said so often that prison is no place for a child. I have no doubt young offenders institutions do their best for children, but it can never be right.

"Today, the future is a little brighter for some of our most difficult, vulnerable and, indeed, dangerous children."

"The Scottish Government's decision to increase the minimum age of prosecution from eight to 12 is very welcome.

"Raising the minimum age of prosecution upholds the principles behind Scotland's much-admired children's hearing system, recognising as it does that a criminal record can permanently stigmatise a child and set them up for a life of criminality."

"The fact that so few under-12s have been charged shows the current law is being applied with common sense and only in exceptional cases.

"I am not convinced the case has been made for raising of the age of criminal responsibility. Sometimes, those under 12 can be involved in serious incidents and it is right we retain the option of criminal proceedings."

"This move is long overdue. The very thought of children under the age of 12 appearing in adult court is ridiculous."

"It's right to look to review the current age of criminal responsibility of eight but we will want to test the argument for raising it to 12, rather than a different level.

"We must be careful to strike the right balance between reflecting what is a fair age for a child to be deemed responsible with also ensuring public safety."

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