Five kids commit a crime in the Capital every day

FIVE children are being caught committing crimes, including assault and car theft, in Edinburgh every day.

Figures obtained by the Evening News reveal youngsters as young as eight were among 1800 reported to the Children's Reporter last year after being accused of a crime. A further 17 nine-year-olds were among the 140 primary age criminals.

While the figures are sure to raise eyebrows, the number of under-18s being reported for criminal offences has dropped in recent years, with "earlier intervention" by police and social workers cited as a major factor.

Authorities say they are working to tackle problem behaviour among youngsters before they are caught committing crimes.

But critics questioned whether Children's Panels were the appropriate way to deal with more hardcore offenders.

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken MSP said: "Clearly when we have these numbers there is still not enough being done to stop children offending. I think the time has come to look at just how effective the hearing system is in dealing with young offenders. Some 15-year-olds, for example, can be quite hardened criminals.

"There is nothing in these figures to find reassuring."

Crimes committed by youngsters in the last year include assault, fireraising, drug possession, car theft and vandalism.

Youngsters appearing before a Children's Panel over an alleged offence can be hit with measures including a supervision order to monitor their behaviour, and being placed in secure accommodation or youth detention.

Meanwhile, figures also revealed today that the number of children reported for misusing alcohol or drugs fell by 40 per cent in a single year.

A total of 97 youngsters, including ten 12-year-olds, were referred between April 2007 and March last year, amid fears for their health and safety because of drink or drug use.

That compares with 162 for the previous year and 144 for the year before that.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) said: "There has been a reduction in the number of children being referred to the Reporter on both offence and non-offence grounds in recent years.

"We have seen a drop in the number of offence referrals in particular. There has been a number of measures introduced through local partnership working to tackle youth offending, such as restorative justice measures and pre-referral screening processes, which direct young people to services that can tackle their behaviour more quickly and effectively."

The number of young offenders referred in Edinburgh fell to 1885 between April 2007 and March last year from 2224 for the previous year.

Most referrals for both offending and misusing drink or drugs are made by the police.

A police spokesman said: "We are delighted to see that the number of children being reported to the Children's Reporter for criminal offences and misuse of alcohol and drugs has fallen.

"These figures are testament to the proactive approach that Lothian and Borders Police and their partner agencies have adopted in order to reach out to youths in our local communities.

"We will continue to strengthen our existing relationships with schools, youth groups and the local community, so that we may see another fall in the number of children reported to the Children's Reporter in 2009/10."

Youngsters reported for misusing drink or drugs are typically referred if they are felt to be at risk due to their behaviour and may require intervention to ensure their protection. That can include supervision orders or place of safety warrants, where youngsters are taken to secure accommodation.