THE number of young people convicted of a crime has fallen by 70% in the past decade in Scotland, new figures show.

Analysis of crime stats show convictions in the under 21 age group dropped from 27,832 in 2007 to 8,814 in 2017.

Amongst males, the number of convictions has fallen from 24,526 to 7,596.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay, who is deputy convener of Holyrood’s Justice Committee, said: “To see a fall of nearly 70% in convictions for our young people is absolutely staggering.

“Bringing crime and convictions down makes a hugely positive difference to our society – ensuring young people are living productive lives and making something of themselves as opposed to spending time in prison or on the streets getting into bother.”

“Under the SNP, crime is at its lowest level in over four decades.”