Children involved in thousands of violent crimes
Almost 8,000 violent crimes last year involved a child as the accused person, amid rising numbers of kids aged 11-15 found to be carrying weapons.
Police Scotland data shows 7,700 overall violent crimes involving offenders under 18, making up 18.1% of violent crimes overall between March 2024 and April this year.
The news comes amid concerns over knife crime in Scotland after two teenagers were allegedly knifed to death in separate incidents in recent months, and officers recovering over 200 weapons from teenagers aged 17 and under in the last year using stop and search powers.
Critics have hit out at the Scottish Government's 'soft touch' justice approach, including the increasing use of recorded police warnings, Proportionate Response To Crime (PRTC), the presumption against prosecution for under 18s and even reduced sentences for under-25s who have committed serious crimes such as rape and murder.
A senior Police Scotland officer also previously acknowledged that, in relation to shop lifting for example, young offenders and the criminal gangs who exploit them are aware of these outcomes and see it as 'low risk high/reward'.
Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for justice Liam Kerr said: 'The alarming surge in the number of young people carrying weapons and the stubbornly high rate of violent crime involving children exposes the SNP's complacency around lighter penalties for young offenders.
'Despite John Swinney's insistence that real deterrents remain an option, the presumption under the SNP's soft-touch guidelines is that young people who offend are unlikely to face appropriate penalties.
'After 18 years in government, the SNP must take full responsibility for this dire situation.'
According to Police Scotland, both the volume and proportion of violent crimes involving children decreased compared to the previous year.
But they acknowledge there has been an increase in the number of youngsters carrying weapons, particularly among 11-15 year olds, with rising numbers of young girls also getting involved in violence.
Force data shows robberies and common assaults were the violent crimes with the highest proportion of accused under 18, at 22.7% and 22.1% respectively.
Just over half of violent crimes involving an accused under 18 took place in open spaces, with almost a quarter in residences and 18.3% in educational settings.
A force report says: 'Recent analytical work between Police Scotland's Analysis and Performance Unit and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit has identified a substantial and consistent level of violent crime being committed by young people and that these crimes are often committed against other young people.
'The results of this analysis also indicate that there has been a higher frequency of younger accused persons across recent years when considering the period since 2019.
'It has also highlighted that older accused (16-18-year-olds) commit more serious violence whilst younger accused (11-15 years old) commit more crimes relating to violence and threatening behaviour.'
According to Police Scotland, the changing nature of gangs and the 'exploitation of vulnerable young people' has emerged as a 'growing issue' impacting the problem of underage violence and offending.
Force data also shows 38,802 offences went either undetected or unpunished in 2023/24 with 13,445 crime reports 'directly filed' for no further action under the PRTC scheme and 25,357 Recorded Police Warnings (RPWs) issued to offenders – an increase of more than 32% or 6,176 on the previous year when 19,181 were handed out.
Under the scheme officers have been ordered not to conduct investigations into low-level offences where there are no obvious leads, witnesses or CCTV footage.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell has said: 'I am concerned about… trends around violent crime committed by young people and often committed against other young people and we think a notable proportion of that is happening in and around schools.
'It's on policing and partners, local authorities, third sector, and beyond to work together to do all we can to prevent violence and reduce the harm it is causing.
'Reducing violence and preventing the harm it is causing continues to be an absolute priority.'
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
27 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Fake Scottish tea fraudster who scammed luxury hotels out of £500k jailed for three years
Thomas Robinson, 55, conned his high-profile clients out of over £500,000. A fake tea fraudster who conned luxury hotels and retailers into buying 'Scottish-grown' tea and made more than £550,000 has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Thomas Robinson, 55, was locked up at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday. The crook, of Dunkeld, made more than half a million pound from the scam, where he told clients including Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel that he grew the tea plants at his Perthshire estate. However, in reality, Robinson bought the tea from wholesalers in Italy for €3 before repackaging the plants and reselling them to retailers for five times the original cost. Robinson's web of lies were laid bare during his trial. The court heard how Robinson pretended to customers he had used innovative growing techniques - including a biodegradable polymer - to cultivate premium Camellia Sinensis tea plants. He then fraudulently sold the plants to high-profile clients in the hospitality sector, including Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel and the Dorchester Hotel in London, as well as retailers between January 2014 and February 2019. He also told prospective growers, clients and the wider public that he had sold the tea to Kensington Palace. Robinson even claimed his tea was a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth. His scheme was unravelled following an investigation by Food Standards Scotland into his activities. It discovered he was actually importing the plants for three Euros each – around £2.50 - and was collecting them from a mailbox in Glasgow. He was then selling them for £12.50 each while insisting to clients and retailers that they were a sound financial investment. Robinson also fabricated his academic status by falsely claiming he had qualifications in agronomy and agriculture and had obtained awards for his tea from industry bodies. The jury found him guilty of two charges of being concerned in a fraudulent scheme. He will now be subject to confiscation proceedings under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover monies illegally obtained. Ron McNaughton, Head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) at Food Standards Scotland, said: 'We welcome today's sentencing as a clear signal that food fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences. 'A three-and-a-half year custodial sentence reflects the scale and impact of Mr Robinson's deception. His actions caused real financial and reputational harm to individuals, businesses and a developing sector of genuine Scottish tea producers. 'This outcome is the result of a complex and painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team at FSS and the cooperation of partner agencies and key witnesses. 'It demonstrates that those who set out to mislead consumers and defraud businesses will be held accountable. 'Food fraud undermines consumer trust and damages the integrity of Scotland's globally respected food and drink sector. We remain committed to detecting and disrupting criminal activity of this nature.'
South Wales Argus
29 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Fraudster who conned luxury brands into buying fake Scottish tea jailed
Thomas Robinson, 55, claimed to have cultivated the tea at his Perthshire estate using innovative techniques, but in reality it was bought from wholesalers and grown outside of Scotland. Operating under the business name The Wee Tea Plantation, Robinson fraudulently sold the tea to high-profile clients in the hospitality sector between January 2014 and February 2019. Representatives of the Balmoral Hotel, the Dorchester Hotel and a company acting on behalf of Fortnum & Mason were among those tricked by the fraudster, who had claimed to have sold tea to customers including Kensington Palace. A Food Standards Scotland (FSS) investigation found Robinson also misled genuine Scottish tea growers by selling them plants under the false pretence they were a unique, locally-grown variety. On May 25, he was found guilty of two counts of fraud to a value of almost £553,000 after a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, which followed an investigation by FSS. Robinson, also known as Tam O'Braan and Thomas O'Brien, tried to bolster his credibility by fabricating academic qualifications and industry awards. On Wednesday, Robinson was sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court. Hours earlier, his lawyer withdrew from the case. Representing himself, Robinson begged for 'compassion' as he appeared by videolink from HMP Low Moss, wearing a green sweatshirt. Sheriff Keith O'Mahony refused a bid to defer sentence and said it was in the public interest that it went ahead, as Robinson was 'articulate' enough to represent himself. Tea plants growing on Thomas Robinson's estate (COPFS/PA) Robinson, who told the court he has four children and attends church, claimed he awoke every morning in his cell plagued with guilt about the 'reputational damage' caused to genuine Scottish tea growers. 'I've had time to wrestle with this over sleepless nights, coming to realise how wrong and stupid I've been,' he told the court. 'The damage this has on all concerned, the stigma of misleading others… I should have been much more transparent and owned up to the situation. Hubris and arrogance made me believe I did my best. 'The method by which you could grow tea in Scotland, something I was told you couldn't do… I didn't know the best, I didn't act as I should have. I go to church, I'm perfectly aware that a sin is not only to do something, but also not to do the right thing. 'The shame of that hangs over me every morning every time I wake up in my cell. Central to that guilt I'm responsible for reputational damage of those involved and reputational damage of growing tea in Scotland. 'It was a scheme I received support from the Scottish Government. I solemnly hope my actions have not detracted from the success which can be achieved for people who want to grow tea in Scotland. I can only offer my sincere apologies if my actions have besmirched that capability.' He told the court he had experienced 'suicidal emotions' due to guilt and had been 'too ashamed to explain' to his four children. Robinson claimed he would not reoffend and had learnt from his actions, 'not only from shock of my conviction but truthful acceptance of what I have done'. He added: 'I solemnly would ask that the above is taken into consideration not as an excuse but an acceptance of the serious nature of my actions and inactions, and I throw myself on the mercy of the court for your compassion.' Sheriff O'Mahony said the jury had 'generally rejected' Robinson's evidence, and the charges spanned five years and totalled £552,988. He added: 'By any measure these convictions must be regarded as significant. Mr O'Brien demonstrated significant planning, he was persistent, he repeatedly made false statements. 'These charges are not victimless, witness after witness gave evidence and said they would not have had the transaction if they had known. They were convinced on false pretences to hand over significant sums of money.' Robinson put his head in his hands as the three-and-a-half year sentence was handed down. Helen Nisbet, procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife, said: 'Individuals, businesses, and genuine Scottish tea growers suffered financial and reputational harm as a consequence of Robinson's deceit. 'But thanks to partnership working between Food Standards Scotland, Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, he has been brought to account for his crimes. 'We are committed to tackling financial crime of this kind.' Ron McNaughton, of FSS, said: 'We welcome today's sentencing as a clear signal that food fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences. 'A three-and-a-half year custodial sentence reflects the scale and impact of Mr Robinson's deception. His actions caused real financial and reputational harm to individuals, businesses and a developing sector of genuine Scottish tea producers. 'This outcome is the result of a complex and painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team at FSS and the co-operation of partner agencies and key witnesses. 'It demonstrates that those who set out to mislead consumers and defraud businesses will be held accountable. 'Food fraud undermines consumer trust and damages the integrity of Scotland's globally respected food and drink sector. We remain committed to detecting and disrupting criminal activity of this nature.'
Western Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Fraudster who conned luxury brands into buying fake Scottish tea jailed
Thomas Robinson, 55, claimed to have cultivated the tea at his Perthshire estate using innovative techniques, but in reality it was bought from wholesalers and grown outside of Scotland. Operating under the business name The Wee Tea Plantation, Robinson fraudulently sold the tea to high-profile clients in the hospitality sector between January 2014 and February 2019. Representatives of the Balmoral Hotel, the Dorchester Hotel and a company acting on behalf of Fortnum & Mason were among those tricked by the fraudster, who had claimed to have sold tea to customers including Kensington Palace. A Food Standards Scotland (FSS) investigation found Robinson also misled genuine Scottish tea growers by selling them plants under the false pretence they were a unique, locally-grown variety. On May 25, he was found guilty of two counts of fraud to a value of almost £553,000 after a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, which followed an investigation by FSS. Robinson, also known as Tam O'Braan and Thomas O'Brien, tried to bolster his credibility by fabricating academic qualifications and industry awards. On Wednesday, Robinson was sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court. Hours earlier, his lawyer withdrew from the case. Representing himself, Robinson begged for 'compassion' as he appeared by videolink from HMP Low Moss, wearing a green sweatshirt. Sheriff Keith O'Mahony refused a bid to defer sentence and said it was in the public interest that it went ahead, as Robinson was 'articulate' enough to represent himself. Tea plants growing on Thomas Robinson's estate (COPFS/PA) Robinson, who told the court he has four children and attends church, claimed he awoke every morning in his cell plagued with guilt about the 'reputational damage' caused to genuine Scottish tea growers. 'I've had time to wrestle with this over sleepless nights, coming to realise how wrong and stupid I've been,' he told the court. 'The damage this has on all concerned, the stigma of misleading others… I should have been much more transparent and owned up to the situation. Hubris and arrogance made me believe I did my best. 'The method by which you could grow tea in Scotland, something I was told you couldn't do… I didn't know the best, I didn't act as I should have. I go to church, I'm perfectly aware that a sin is not only to do something, but also not to do the right thing. 'The shame of that hangs over me every morning every time I wake up in my cell. Central to that guilt I'm responsible for reputational damage of those involved and reputational damage of growing tea in Scotland. 'It was a scheme I received support from the Scottish Government. I solemnly hope my actions have not detracted from the success which can be achieved for people who want to grow tea in Scotland. I can only offer my sincere apologies if my actions have besmirched that capability.' He told the court he had experienced 'suicidal emotions' due to guilt and had been 'too ashamed to explain' to his four children. Robinson claimed he would not reoffend and had learnt from his actions, 'not only from shock of my conviction but truthful acceptance of what I have done'. He added: 'I solemnly would ask that the above is taken into consideration not as an excuse but an acceptance of the serious nature of my actions and inactions, and I throw myself on the mercy of the court for your compassion.' Sheriff O'Mahony said the jury had 'generally rejected' Robinson's evidence, and the charges spanned five years and totalled £552,988. He added: 'By any measure these convictions must be regarded as significant. Mr O'Brien demonstrated significant planning, he was persistent, he repeatedly made false statements. 'These charges are not victimless, witness after witness gave evidence and said they would not have had the transaction if they had known. They were convinced on false pretences to hand over significant sums of money.' Robinson put his head in his hands as the three-and-a-half year sentence was handed down. Helen Nisbet, procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife, said: 'Individuals, businesses, and genuine Scottish tea growers suffered financial and reputational harm as a consequence of Robinson's deceit. 'But thanks to partnership working between Food Standards Scotland, Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, he has been brought to account for his crimes. 'We are committed to tackling financial crime of this kind.' Ron McNaughton, of FSS, said: 'We welcome today's sentencing as a clear signal that food fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences. 'A three-and-a-half year custodial sentence reflects the scale and impact of Mr Robinson's deception. His actions caused real financial and reputational harm to individuals, businesses and a developing sector of genuine Scottish tea producers. 'This outcome is the result of a complex and painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team at FSS and the co-operation of partner agencies and key witnesses. 'It demonstrates that those who set out to mislead consumers and defraud businesses will be held accountable. 'Food fraud undermines consumer trust and damages the integrity of Scotland's globally respected food and drink sector. We remain committed to detecting and disrupting criminal activity of this nature.'
