Vulnerable children are to receive help to prevent them being recruited by crime gangs.
Prosecutors will help the Scottish Government’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to identify youngsters who are in need of protection. Their new scheme will aim to raise awareness of criminal exploitation and encourage agencies to share information so they can intervene early and prevent young people from being drawn into criminality.
The move comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s backing for the Record’s Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which aims to tackle the scourge of youth violence. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is collaborating with law enforcement and third sector partners, including Action for Children, to develop the pilot scheme.
The initiative will be overseen by the Scottish Government’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce.
Scotland’s Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC said: “Organised crime creates a pernicious danger to communities throughout Scotland and adversely affects all those who live in these communities. It carries a very human price and inflicts a very damaging toll on many people.
“We are working closely with stakeholders and partner agencies to protect children and young people from being enticed into organised crime and keep them safe from harm. Greater sharing of information will ensure agencies have the full picture and will assist in diverting young people from involvement in criminality.”
The Record’s campaign, which Sturgeon “applauded” last week, calls for the Scottish Government and councils to fund community venues for teenagers. It also demands social media giants clamp down on harmful content such as videos of young people attacking others, and recommends every adult in the country has a role to play in making children feel cared for and included.
The Solicitor General’s comments follow her recent visit to the offices of Action for Children in Edinburgh. The charity discussed how its long-running Serious Organised Crime Early Intervention Service protects young people from being exploited by organised crime groups.
The programme launched in Glasgow in 2013 and has expanded to Cardiff, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Dundee. It uses mentors with experience of the serious organised crime scene to engage with young people who are at risk of being exploited.
Paul Carberry, chief executive of Action for Children, said: “Organised crime has a disproportionately high impact on the most disadvantaged, marginalised communities throughout the UK and has a significant cost implication if it is not addressed early.
"The success we have witnessed with our programme is a testament to this and illustrates the effectiveness of a proactive action which aims to give young people possible alternatives and the possibility of a brighter future.”
Stephen McGowan, COPFS deputy crown agent for serious casework, added: “Training and awareness-raising has an important role to play in addressing common misconceptions about young people who are targeted by criminal gangs.
"This includes ensuring frontline police and prosecutors are aware of the potential for young individuals who are committing criminal offences to be the victims of trafficking and exploitation.”
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