Written Question · S1W-30102 · Session 1
What progress it is making on the implementation of the 10-point action plan set out in Scotland's Action Programme to Reduce Youth Crime 2…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making on the implementation of the 10-point action plan set out in Scotland's Action Programme to Reduce Youth Crime 2002, broken down by point.
The answer
Scotland's Action Programme to Reduce Youth Crime 2002 was published on 28 January. The 10-point action plan to tackle youth crime and disorder was launched on 27 June. Progress has been made on implementing the action points and I wrote to a number of Committee Convenors outlining this on 12 September. This work will be supported through the additional £15 million EYF funding we have announced for this year and in future by the resources identified in the Scottish Budget.The information requested is provided in the following table:Ten Point Action Plan | Action
1. A pilot of Specialist Children's Hearings to fast-track persistent offenders under 16 | Discussions are being held with interested Local Authorities to identify pilot areas, which will be announced very soon. Discussions have also been held with SCRA and councils to discuss the operational issues around fast-track hearings.
2. A Youth Courts feasibility project for persistent offenders aged 16 and 17, with flexibility to deal with 15-year-olds | The Feasibility Project Group has been set up and sub-groups are taking forward detailed work on pre-court processes; court procedures; programmes and legal aid. The Youth Court Feasibility Study will also consider issues of fast tracking which will help to inform further work on Action Point 10.
3. Reviewing the scope for using Restriction of Liberty Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Community Service Orders for persistent offenders | Improving the effectiveness of these disposals for this age group is under cross-departmental consideration.
4. A Safer Scotland police campaign on high visibility policing, covering Youth Disorder, to increase visibility and provide community re-assurance. | An announcement is due shortly.
5. Spread best practice, and establish firm standards, for community-based projects funded through the Action Programme, Better Neighbourhood Services Fund programmes and Making Communities Safer programmes. | The Executive is conducting an audit of current front-line services that will inform future funding decisions.
6. Consideration of a Scottish wide application of a system of cautions/ warnings, and a detailed exploration of restorative cautions approach, perhaps through piloting. | Consultation is under way on a scoping paper, which takes account of local developments in a number of police forces and £2 million funding announces in March 2002 for the national introduction or enhancement of programmes for those under 16.
7. Reconfiguring the secure accommodation available nationally to provide groups of girl-only accommodation, further consideration of additional places and improving the range and provision of programmes in secure units. | The Executive's intention to increase the number of places was announced on 17 September. We have invited proposals for the redevelopment of Scotland's secure estate from both current and potential providers, which are now under consideration.
8. A set of national standards to operate between local authorities, the criminal justice system and Children's Hearings, covering reporting, timescales and follow up. | The Youth Justice Steering Group will consider the Effectiveness sub-group's report and recommend
1. A pilot of Specialist Children's Hearings to fast-track persistent offenders under 16 | Discussions are being held with interested Local Authorities to identify pilot areas, which will be announced very soon. Discussions have also been held with SCRA and councils to discuss the operational issues around fast-track hearings.
2. A Youth Courts feasibility project for persistent offenders aged 16 and 17, with flexibility to deal with 15-year-olds | The Feasibility Project Group has been set up and sub-groups are taking forward detailed work on pre-court processes; court procedures; programmes and legal aid. The Youth Court Feasibility Study will also consider issues of fast tracking which will help to inform further work on Action Point 10.
3. Reviewing the scope for using Restriction of Liberty Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Community Service Orders for persistent offenders | Improving the effectiveness of these disposals for this age group is under cross-departmental consideration.
4. A Safer Scotland police campaign on high visibility policing, covering Youth Disorder, to increase visibility and provide community re-assurance. | An announcement is due shortly.
5. Spread best practice, and establish firm standards, for community-based projects funded through the Action Programme, Better Neighbourhood Services Fund programmes and Making Communities Safer programmes. | The Executive is conducting an audit of current front-line services that will inform future funding decisions.
6. Consideration of a Scottish wide application of a system of cautions/ warnings, and a detailed exploration of restorative cautions approach, perhaps through piloting. | Consultation is under way on a scoping paper, which takes account of local developments in a number of police forces and £2 million funding announces in March 2002 for the national introduction or enhancement of programmes for those under 16.
7. Reconfiguring the secure accommodation available nationally to provide groups of girl-only accommodation, further consideration of additional places and improving the range and provision of programmes in secure units. | The Executive's intention to increase the number of places was announced on 17 September. We have invited proposals for the redevelopment of Scotland's secure estate from both current and potential providers, which are now under consideration.
8. A set of national standards to operate between local authorities, the criminal justice system and Children's Hearings, covering reporting, timescales and follow up. | The Youth Justice Steering Group will consider the Effectiveness sub-group's report and recommend
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-30102 by reference.