LEGISLATION to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland to 12 should be enacted as soon as possible to “stop the criminalisation of eight-year-olds,” MSPs heard yesterday.

Malcolm Schaffer, head of practice and policy at the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, argued the criminal justice system is not needed to “control behaviour” of children and this can instead be dealt with through a welfare system.

Giving evidence to Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee, he said his organisation supports a Bill going through Parliament to raise the age from eight to 12.