Surge in children caught with stolen goods sparks gang exploitation fears

The rise in Scotland has been linked to the increasing trend of adult gangsters recruiting children to carry out thefts from shops and business across the country.

Analysis by policing and justice publication 1919 Magazine shows that officers using stop-and-search powers caught 48 young people, some as young as 12, between April and June this year.

The numbers have risen steadily, from 104 in 2023/24 to 172 last year, with almost 200 incidents set to be recorded this year if the current rate continues.

The rise has sparked fears of increased exploitation of vulnerable children by organised gangs, with an impact that extends far beyond shoplifting.

Police Scotland, the Scottish government, retailers and opposition parties all voiced their concerns about adult criminals enlisting minors to carry out crimes.

Included in the stop-and-search data for the first quarter of this year were two 12-year-old girls caught in East Kilbride, a 14-year-old boy in Glasgow who was also found in possession of a knife, and two 14-year-old boys in Dumfries.

Most of the perpetrators were teenage boys, who are known to be commonly targeted by gangs.

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said the figures suggested that children are being “routinely exploited for the purposes of criminality”.

He told 1919: “The problem is there is no deterrent – the kids and the criminals know that no matter what happens they won’t be properly punished.

“Sentencing guidelines which say under 25s should not be jailed only work if there are proper preventative, educational or rehabilitative measures instead – but that just isn’t the case.

“The police can only respond to this, we can’t be in every shop all the time.”

Officers are also finding more young people with knives and other bladed weapons during stop-and-search procedures.

Some have criticised perceived overuse of the practice, but both police bosses and the Scottish Government insist it is necessary in preventing crime.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davidson said stop-and-search was “valuable and effective” in tackling shoplifting, adding it was used lawfully, proportionately, and in accordance with the agreed national code of practice.

“The code has a dedicated section for children and provides guidance for officers when deciding to stop search a child using the appropriate statutory power,” he said.

“Retail crime is not victimless.

“We have seen some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities being actively recruited and exploited by organised criminals to steal and resale goods for financial gain, potentially drawing them into wider criminality.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The criminal exploitation of children is abhorrent, and partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce will use all means at their disposal to ensure that those responsible are held to account.

“The taskforce is delivering real results, targeting repeat offenders and using data and intelligence to drive enforcement in the most affected areas.

“In its first year, it resulted in over 6,400 charges, and the taskforce continues to work with retailers and communities to help prevent and tackle retail crime.”

In addition to the retail taskforce, they added: “Officers also make use of a range of operational powers, including stop-and-search, where lawful, proportionate and intelligence-led, to help prevent and detect crime and disrupt criminal activity.

“Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales, and our record investment of more than £1.7 billion in 2026/27 is ensuring that Police Scotland can maintain officer numbers at 16,500.”