Group to look at further rise in criminal responsibility age

Whether the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland should be raised to higher than 12 is to be considered by a new Scottish Government forum.

The Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill, which is currently progressing through Holyrood, will raise the age at which a child in Scotland can be held responsible for a crime from eight to 12. However pressure has been growing for a higher age to be adopted, and ministers have proposed an amendment at stage 3 of the bill to provide for a further review after it becomes law.

Membership of the new group, which will meet for the first time in the summer after the expected Royal Assent, will include stakeholders and agencies working with children and young people, and Children’s Minister Maree Todd has met members of the Scottish Youth Parliament to discuss the group and invite the Youth Parliament to take part in it.

Ms Todd commented: "The bill has enjoyed broad support throughout the parliamentary stages, though some have advocated the age should be higher still. The advisory group will review the future age of criminal responsibility within three years of the bill becoming law, making sure that any increase would protect the interests of children, young people, victims and communities. I am also keen to ensure that the review benefits from the views and experiences of children and young people.”