PUPILS who took part in a study into childhood offending two decades ago are being asked to return for the second stage of the research.

More than 4000 people initially took part in the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime. Now in their 30s, the respondents have been invited back to help researchers discover how childhood circumstances and events have shaped adult lives.

Co-director professor Lesley McAra said: “The study team is delighted to be embarking on this new phase of the study and we look forward to welcoming back our cohort members at age 33.

“We are extremely proud of the positive impact that study findings have had on policy for children and young people. We hope that by following up the same group of people into adulthood we will understand more about the factors in the teenage years which have long-term effects on life chances.”

It is hoped the input in this latest phase will help influence Scottish Government policy on community safety and inequality reduction.