Children as young as 10 have been caught with knives, drugs, and stolen items in various incidents across Scotland, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of young individuals. In one instance in the east of Edinburgh last July, a 10-year-old was found with a bladed weapon during an evening search. This alarming trend continued as several 12-year-olds were discovered carrying weapons and class B drugs, including a girl in Ayr in June, and a 14-year-old in east Fife was apprehended with a firearm in September.
The statistics are troubling, with data published by 1919 Magazine revealing that children between the ages of 10 and 17 were involved in 123 cases where a weapon was found between April and September 2024. This accounts for more than a quarter of positive weapons searches for all age groups during that period. Additionally, children under the age of 18 were subject to 566 successful searches, including weapons, drugs, and stolen goods.
Police Actions and Concerns
Police Scotland emphasized that officers follow a strict code of practice, especially when conducting searches involving young individuals. However, the Scottish Police Federation expressed concerns about the reduction of officers in schools and communities, highlighting missed opportunities for preventative measures. David Threadgold, the chair of the federation, emphasized the importance of de-escalating situations involving individuals with weapons, acknowledging the challenges faced by officers in determining the age of those involved.
Threadgold noted that as police presence diminishes in school environments, the visibility of law enforcement in communities decreases, leading to a reactive rather than proactive approach. This shift may contribute to missed opportunities for building relationships and gathering intelligence to address the root causes of such incidents.
Political Responses and Government Initiatives
Scottish Labour’s community safety spokesperson, Katy Clark, expressed deep concern over the presence of potential weapons in the hands of children, emphasizing the need for collaboration between police, schools, social workers, and other support systems to address the underlying issues. Similarly, Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr criticized SNP ministers for failing to address the rise in crime and the risk it poses to young individuals.
In response, the Scottish Government defended its efforts, highlighting a £4 million investment in violence prevention over the past two years. The government pointed to initiatives like ‘CashBack for Communities’, which has supported approximately 1.3 million young people across Scotland. Despite these efforts, the government acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and encouraged the public to report any information related to criminal activities.
In conclusion, the troubling trend of children possessing weapons and drugs underscores the need for a comprehensive approach involving law enforcement, community support systems, and government initiatives. By addressing the root causes of such behavior and providing resources to support at-risk youth, Scotland can work towards creating a safer environment for all individuals.