Sex crimes carried out by children up 34 per cent

The number of sexual offence cases reported to prosecutors in which a child committed a crime against another child has risen by over a third in four years.

The number of offences carried out by children against children is on the rise

Figures from the Crown Office show the number of people aged 17 or under accused of sexual offending - when the victim was also a child - went from 224 in 2011/12 to 300 in 2015/16 - a rise of 34 per cent.

The number of victims aged under 17 also rose by 34 per cent during the same period, from 1190 to 1600.

The statistics were published as solicitor general Alison Di Rollo brought more than 100 teachers, social workers, police officers and prosecutors for a summit in Glasgow.

She said: “Too many children and young people are coming to the attention of the police and the prosecution service in relation to sexual offending.

"There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that the most significant factor in determining whether a child will commit criminal offences in the future is contact with the criminal justice system at a young age.

"I don’t want to prosecute Scotland’s young people nor do I want them to have to give evidence in court against their peers and I believe that the one of the key ways that we can protect our children and young people is by educating them about the law."

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “It is important that children and young people gain knowledge about the laws on sexual behaviour which is appropriate to their age and stage of education. The approach delivered through the Curriculum for Excellent supports this.

“I am very pleased that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has led on today’s summit and we will continue to work with them over the coming months to ensure the examples of best practice we have heard today are brought together into a meaningful and useful way and are considered as part of the review into Personal and Social Education. I am committed to ensuring the Scottish Government plays a central role in helping to reduce the numbers of our children and young people that are brought before the courts on sexual offence charges.”