§ Mrs. LaingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of criminal offences were committed by(a) 15 to 25, (b) 26 to 35, (c) 36 to 45 and (d) 46 to 60 year olds in each year since 1992. [74520]
§ Mr. McLeishThe available information, which relates to numbers of convictions in Scottish courts, is given in the table. In addition to cases dealt with in court, children in Scotland who are suspected of committing offences are generally referred to the Reporter to a children's hearing. Each year an average of around 4,500 children aged 15 and over are referred to Reporters on offence grounds.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Persons with a charge proved in Scottish courts, by age 1992–97 Age 15–25 26–35 36–45 46–60 All1 Number 1992 81,874 49,944 23,569 14,449 177,483 1993 74,971 47,045 21,911 12,871 162,806 1994 71,477 47,855 21,860 12,847 159,178 1995 69,497 47,323 21,857 12,894 156,707 1996 69,446 45,845 21,222 11,879 153,087 1997 67,463 45,557 21,247 11,788 150,450 Per cent. 1992 46 28 13 8 100 1993 46 29 13 8 100 1994 45 30 14 8 100 1995 44 30 14 8 100 1996 45 30 14 8 100 1997 45 30 14 8 100 1 Includes persons of all ages and companies