The number of attempted murders where a child was the accused has more than tripled in a year.
Police Scotland say the number of crimes surged to 17 between April and June compared to five in the same quarter last year and involved 20 youngsters in total.
Data shows under-18s accounted for almost a quarter (23.6%) of all attempted murders – where an accused was identified – up from 7.2% in the same period last year.
Overall, 436 children were accused of weapons offences during the April to June quarter with the majority (57.3%) related to the use of weapons during another crime, while the rest were for possession.
Police Scotland say there were 52 weapons offences in schools compared to 43 for the same period last year, with most occurring in secondary schools.
Disturbingly, 11 weapons-related crimes took place in primary schools.
The tragic deaths of Amen Teklay, 15, in Glasgow in March and Kayden Moy, 16, on an Ayrshire beach in May, heightened concerns over youth violence and knife crime.
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey MSP said the “shocking figures” pointed to a “growing epidemic of youth violence in Scotland”.
She said: “The blame lies firmly with the SNP who have relentlessly weakened our justice system, sending a message to offenders that they won’t face the consequences for their crimes.
“That includes the SNP’s perverse sentencing guidelines for under-25s which allow many violent young criminals to avoid jail altogether and be free to terrorise communities again.
“With youth violence causing tragic deaths in recent months, the SNP cannot continue with their soft-touch approach.
“They must give police the tools they need to crack down on these spiralling crimes and ensure our communities are properly protected.”
Police Scotland say they have been “monitoring notable changes” with the average age of offenders reducing and more young girls becoming involved in acts of violence but say they are still in the minority.
Most violence involving children is said to take place in city and town centres and there is also a “considerable volume linked to care and educational settings”.
Police Scotland say while most violence by children is targeted at other youngsters, “care workers, teachers, emergency workers and retail staff are also being subjected to violent attacks” by kids.
Despite the rise in attempted murders involving young accused, Police Scotland say there has been an overall decrease in levels of violence involving children and young people compared to the same period last year.
Data shows there were 1914 violent crimes where the accused was a child compared to 2301 last year.
Serious assaults involving children as the accused decreased 40.9% to 55 compared to 93 in the same period last year.
There has also been an overall decrease in the number of children accused of weapons offences – down to 436 from 475 last year.
In a force report, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland says: “Despite encouraging year-to-date reductions in weapons offences and overall violent crime there has been an increase in attempted murders perpetrated by under 18s in the first quarter of this year.”
According to the ACC, violence in Scotland remains at “historically low levels” and year-to-date data reflects a “continued stable or improving picture overall”.
He added: “We recognise that some aspects of violence amongst children and young people, particularly in care and educational settings remain an area of concern.
“Police will and should have a role in enforcement and upholding the law to keep people safe.
“Our key focus, however, must be on prevention, working with partners and young people to reduce the drivers for offending, re-offending and victimisation.”
ACC Sutherland acknowledged concerns remained about some aspects of violent crime committed by young people and often committed against other young people.
He said: “More recently violence in and around education settings has become a focus with some areas of violence and associated offences increasing.”
ACC Sutherland added: “We know we can’t do this alone, and we work closely in partnership with the other emergency services, including British Transport Police, and key partners such as the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, Medics Against Violence and Fearless, the dedicated youth service of the charity Crimestoppers.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Whilst violent crime has significantly reduced in the past 20 years, that is of no comfort to victims. That is why we are focused on reducing violence and have a clear message that no weapon should be carried at any time in any place including in schools.
“Since 2023 we have invested more than £6 million to implement the Violence Prevention Framework, which includes action to address youth violence and the carrying of weapons in and around schools.
“In addition we are providing support and direction at a national level, including through the National Relationships and Behaviour in Schools Action Plan, which includes recently published guidance on consequences and on risk assessment for violent, aggressive and dangerous behaviour.
“Local authorities are expected to implement this guidance to meet particular needs at a local level.”
