Persons aged under 18 on sex offenders register: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/17/02419
Date received: 18 October 2017
Date responded: 15 November 2017

Information requested

• The number of persons aged under 18 currently on the sex offenders register by breakdown or snapshot for 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013;

• How many people are currently on the sex offenders register who are adults but were put on as under 18s;

• A breakdown or snapshot of how many new under 18s were put on the register for this year, 2017 and 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Response

Taking each of your information requests in turn, we would comment as follows:

• The number of persons aged under 18 currently on the sex offenders register by breakdown or snapshot for 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

31st March	Number of under 18's on the Sex Offenders Register
2017	18
2016	26
2015	27
2014	19
2013	15

These statistics have been compiled using data from ViSOR monthly reports.

The figures shown are taken from the 31st March of each year requested.

You should be aware that this information is only valid on the day it is produced because the information is dynamic and will change as arrests are made, or new cases come to light through proactive intelligence-led policing, or through the routine management of registered sex offenders.

• How many people are currently on the sex offenders register who are adults but were put on as under 18s; A breakdown or snapshot of how many new under 18s were put on the register for this year, 2017 and 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

The information you require is not held by the Scottish Government. You may wish to contact Police Scotland directly to request the information you are seeking.

You can contact the Police Scotland FOI team by writing to FOI central Processing Unit Information Management Unit, Police Scotland, Clyde Gateway, 2 French Street, Glasgow G40 4EH or email foi@scotland.pnn.police.uk. More information on how to access information held by Police Scotland is available on their website: http://www.scotland.police.uk/access-to-information/

While their numbers are low, these are young people dealt with in the adult criminal justice system, rather than through the Children's hearings system. They are considered under our Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and the sex offender notification requirements. Children and young people who present a serious risk are managed in a multi-agency way, involving all relevant adults and professionals, as appropriate for each young person.

Children under the age of 12 who are thought to be responsible for an offence are liable to be dealt with by the children's hearings system as part of Scotland's whole system approach to youth crime. For children over 12, the approach to joint reporting (Crown Office and Children's Reporter) or prosecution is set out in the Lord Advocate's Guidelines on offences committed by children

Children and young people dealt with through the hearings system are treated as children first, with their needs being addressed as well as any concerns around their actions. If grounds are accepted then the reporter will refer the young person to the local authority who will follow locally agreed risk management arrangements. These arrangements are formed by the guidance in the Framework for Risk Assessment and Management (FRAME) and Care and Risk Management (CARM).

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses