MINISTERS have defended their stance on youth crime after it emerged hundreds of children, including some eight-year-olds, have been reported for housebreaking in the past three years.

The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration has received 517 referrals for under-18s since 2014/15, according to figures obtained under Freedom of Information (FoI).

The FoI statistics reveal 186 under-18s were referred in 2016/17, broadly similar to the two previous years.

In the three-year period, East Ayrshire and Highland council areas both recorded at least one eight-year-old being being referred for breaking into someone’s home.

Across Scotland, at least three nine-year-olds and seven 10-year-olds were reported for housebreaking in the same period.

Glasgow topped the list for having the most children reported for the offence, at 79, followed by Edinburgh with 65 and North Lanarkshire with 42.

The statistics also revealed the most common age for under-18 housebreaking referrals was fifteen with 208 instances since 2014/15.

The figures were obtained by the Scottish Conservatives who said they raised questions about plans for legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility from eight to 12.

The Government’s move follows calls by the Scottish Children’s Commissioner to raise the age of criminal responsibility, which at eight is among the lowest in the world.

Last night the Scottish Government defended its approach to children caught up in offending behaviour, saying many of the perpetrators were vulnerable.

“Where the behaviour of a child gives rise to concern, it is essential that this is addressed sensitively, effectively and promptly, with the child and their family.

“Many of the perpetrators are vulnerable children themselves,” said a spokesman.

“Our firm focus on diversion and prevention has achieved dramatic, positive results, and contributed to an 83 per cent reduction in the number of offences referrals to the Children’s Reporter in recent years.

He added: “We’re improving life chances for young people by creating opportunities for them via initiatives like the Cashback for Communities programme, which has turned £92 million of criminal cash into positive community initiatives.

“The underlying principle is to reduce future offending, and therefore reduce future victims.”

But the Tories’s justice spokesman said in the case of the pre-teen reports, “questions really do have to be asked about the parents”.

“Being broken into and robbed is one of the most upsetting things that can happen to a household,” said Liam Kerr.

“For victims, it’s irrelevant what age the perpetrators are, it remains terrifying and can leave a lasting impact.

“It’s alarming that hundreds of children have been referred for this crime across Scotland in recent years, and the trend isn’t improving.

“We need to get in and ensure these youngsters are put on the right path, because once people start out on this road to a career in crime, it’s extremely hard to get them off it.

“When children who haven’t even reached their teens are being referred for this, questions really do have to be asked about the parents too,” the spokesman added.