HC Deb 08 March 1999 vol 327 cc61-2W
Mrs. Laing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of people aged 15 to 25 years committed a criminal offence in each year since 1992. [74522]

Mr. McLeish

The available information is given in the table. It relates to the number of individuals who were convicted in Scottish courts at least once in a given year for conduct classified as a crime or for breach of the peace or simple assault, which are classified as offences. It therefore excludes convictions for motor vehicle and some minor common law and statutory offences. 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, equivalent to 7 per cent. of the 15-year-old population.

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Percentage of people aged 15–25 years with a charge proved in a Scottish court for a crime breach of the peace or simple assault1 on at least one occasion in the given year, 1992–97
Year Percentage2
1992 3.8
1993 3.7
1994 3.6
1995 3.6
1996 3.7
1997 3.6
1 Excludes convictions for most motor vehicle and some minor statutory offences
2 Percentage of the relevant mid-year GRO(S) estimate of the 15–25 year old population

Mrs. Laing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of people aged 15 to 25 years have been convicted of(a) two, (b) three and (c) four offences.

Mr. McLeish

The available information is given in the table. It relates to the number of occasions between 1989 and 1997 on which people who were aged 15–25 years at June 1997 were convicted in Scottish courts for conduct classified as a crime, or for breach of the peace and simple assault, which are classified as offences. It therefore excludes convictions for motor vehicle and some minor common law and statutory offences.

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Number and percentage of people aged 15–25 years in 1997 with a charge proved in a Scottish court for a crime, breach of the peace or simple assault1 on 2–4 occasions in the period 1989–97
Number of convictions in 1989–97 Number Percentage2
2 13,712 1.9
3 7,121 1.0
4 4,577 0.6
1Excludes convictions for most motor vehicle and some minor statutory offences
2Percentage of the mid-year GRO(S) estimate of the 15–25 year old population in 1997