Twelve children’s charities have joined forces to urge the Scottish Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from eight.
The organisations argue the age should be lifted to 12, in line with changes agreed to the age at which children can be prosecuted.
Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, said: “In Scotland, we are rightly proud of the unique and progressive children’s hearings system, which addresses children’s needs and deeds. Yet this approach is let down by legislation which effectively labels children as criminals.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it would consider the calls by the various charities.
