News

Plans to allow all offenders aged 16 and below to be electronically tagged have been removed from the Antisocial behaviour etc (Scotland) bill but less far reaching proposals still remain, writes Amy Taylor.

The bill, which reaches its third stage next week, still allows offenders aged 16 and under to be tagged if it is part of a package of measures awarded as an alternative to sending them to residential accommodation where this is seen as more beneficial.

At the moment tagging can only happen to offenders aged 16 and over in Scotland.

The Scottish Executive is also discussing 11th hour changes to other parts of the bill in order to ensure they receive enough support from MEPs.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats are currently working towards a compromise on proposals that empower police to disperse groups of two or more young people.


Donald Gorrie, the MSP representing the Liberal Democrats in the discussions, said that he anticipated they would reach an agreement and come up with proposals that were agreeable to both parties.

Bill Aitken, a Conservative MSP, said that he only expected the proposals to be slightly changed.