Young people at risk of offending to receive better early intervention and support services

Humza Yousaf said an extra £1.6 million will be given to local authorities over the next two years to strengthen youth justice services, including extending some of these up to the age of 21, and up to 26 for care-experienced young people.

Mr Yousaf made the announcement after meeting social workers, police and Crown Office staff in West Lothian.

He said: “Preventing offending is integral to creating safer communities, and in order to do that a range of public services need to work together, targeting tailored support where it is needed most to safeguard the vulnerable and keep all of Scotland’s communities safe.

“I’ve heard directly from youth justice practitioners how successful early intervention can be, and how organisations coming together can have a huge impact on the lives of young people who are at risk.

“This extra funding will enable local authorities to extend support to young people up to the age of 26 in some cases. I’m very clear that the success of the past decade is no cause for complacency but rather it motivates us all to build on that progress and ensure no individual or community is left behind.

“By enhancing the capacity of local authorities to work with partners, we can safeguard and strengthen the integrated approach to help keep crime down and communities safe.”