Child criminals: Three-year-old reported over drugs possession

The pre-schooler was the youngest person to be reported for a crime in the force area between last April and March.

The case sparked concern from child welfare charities about the exposure of young children to drug misuse.

The figures also showed that a nine-year-old girl was reported for possession of an offensive weapon, while a 12-year-old girl allegedly assaulted police.

Thirteen minor assaults were carried out by ten-year-old girls, while ten eight-year-old boys were accused of attacks. And a ten-year-old car thief was reported for dangerous driving and an eight-year-old accused of carrying a knife.

The age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is eight – youngsters aged below that are not charged with crimes.

Tory MSP Gavin Brown called for action after the case of the three-year-old possessing drugs emerged.

He said: “Clearly it is impossible for someone as young as three to commit criminal behaviour. It is a very worrying matter and I think what has to be investigated is the circumstances surrounding the incident. Lessons have to be learned to ensure it never happens again.”

It is not known what type of drug the girl had in her possession.

Kate Smith, of child welfare charity Children 1st, said: “It’s everybody’s responsibility to protect children from the dangers of drugs.”

She added: “If anyone thinks a child is in immediate danger from exposure to drugs, they should inform police or social work. ”

The overall number of reported offences by under-12s rose to 1252 last year from 1189 the year before, although the figure is a substantial drop on the 1784 for 2009/10.

Police chiefs have said early intervention may be a factor behind the trend, with diversionary activities for children on the “cusp of offending” cited as a positive influence.

Police, social workers, education staff and officials from the council’s youth offending and antisocial behaviour units meet as part of the Getting It Right For Every Child programme to discuss cases from the last week.

A city council spokeswoman said: “Our partnership working has proved very successful in preventing re-offending. The numbers of child offenders in Edinburgh has reduced significantly in the past two years, which is positive.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said offence referrals to the Children’s Reporter across the country had fallen by 66 per cent since 2006/07.

But she added: “These kids should be out enjoying positive activities rather than going down the wrong path in  life.”

Figures that shame

Boys

• 11-year-old

Assault by penetration on young male child

• 10-year-old

Driving without licence and dangerous driving

• 12-year-old

Handling obscene material

• 12-year-old

Indecent exposure

• Seven-year-old

Racially aggravated behaviour

Girls

• Three-year-old

Possession of drugs

• Eight-year-old

Shoplifting

• Nine-year-old

Possession of offensive weapon

• Nine-year-old

Housebreaking

• 12-year-old

Assaulting police