Police Scotland and Young Scot report reveals young people’s perceptions of personal safety
Research highlights what matters to young people in Scotland.
Research by Police Scotland and Young Scot reveals concern among young people about personal safety, hate crimes and violence against women and girls.
The report, which combines current and past research and engagement with young people, provides insights into what matters to young people, their experiences of crime and community safety.
Young Scot’s most recent Big Survey found that 55% of young people listed ‘poverty’ as one of the top three concerns about living in Scotland. According to findings from Police Scotland’s Your Police Survey, more than 70% of young people expressed some concerns about their safety with 15% feeling not safe and 58% reporting feeling ‘fairly safe’. Notably, poverty has a significant impact on how safe young people feel in their communities, with those feeling ‘not safe’ rising to 23% in for young people living in SIMD1 areas.
The report also highlights the link between young people understanding their rights and reporting a crime. A better understanding can empower young people to recognise and report crimes, leading to improved safety and wellbeing. This is particularly important for young people who live in areas affected by poverty and violence and from minority backgrounds, where barriers to contacting the police are most pronounced.
Hate crimes remain a considerable concern among young people, especially for those from minority backgrounds. Young Scot’s Big Survey asked young people for examples of occasions where they have not been able to access their rights, with 60 of the 326 comments detailing experiences of discrimination and hate, including homophobia, transphobia, racism, religious prejudice and sexism.
Young Scot CEO Kirsten Urquhart said:
“It’s vital that we listen to youth voices and take their concerns seriously. This report highlights young people's experiences and emphasises the responsibility of all sectors to take meaningful action. By working together we can create a more inclusive society where young people feel safe, supported and empowered to thrive."
Chief Inspector Elaine Tomlinson from Police Scotland’s Children and Young People Team said:
“We are committed to working with partners to better understand the needs of all our communities and our relationship with Young Scot provides us with valuable insight into the experiences of young people. We recognise the important role we play in supporting our children and young people and we will continue to find ways to better connect, listen to their views and address the issues which matter to them most.”