MORE than 1,300 kids as young as 12 have been arrested in the past year — a nine per cent rise.

And as many as four under-16s a day are being hauled in by cops.

The “alarming” figures come amid moves to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 18.

They show 1,350 youngsters were taken into custody in 2023-24, up 107 in a year.

Our map reveals that the youngest ‘offenders’ were just 12 in 11 of 13 regions.

Lib Dem justice spokesman Liam McArthur last night demanded a rigorous probe of the “troubling” stats.

He added: “The Scottish Government need to redouble efforts to stop youngsters falling into criminality.”

Want to see more SNP fails? – Health Matters