BACKGROUND

Violence is not a singular issue but the result of a range of interconnected factors – ranging from individual behavioural traits and family dynamics to societal pressures and systematic inequalities. The long-term consequences extend beyond the victims and their families, and perpetrators, placing demand on public services including policing, health and education. Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been growing concern about the changing nature of violence impacting on children and young people. Effective prevention necessitates addressing the root causes, strengthening protective factors and building resilience. The police cannot solve this issue alone and there is a need for policing, local authorities, third sector and beyond to work together to do all we can to prevent violence and associated harms affecting children and young people.

Over a single weekend in May 2025, two separate incidents on Scotland’s beaches drew national attention – the murder of a 16-year-old male on an Ayrshire beach and reports of significant violence on Portobello beach in Edinburgh. This followed soon after the murder of a 15-year-old boy in Glasgow in March of 2025. These tragic and troubling events, involving young people, understandably raised concerns around children and young people’s safety in public spaces and the role of social media in organising large gatherings and changing behaviours

The incidents prompted widespread media and political coverage and discussions around safety, supervision and community responsibility. The First Minister brought together key stakeholders – including police, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), government ministers, educators and a cohort of young people with experiences of violence – for summits aimed at exploring the issues and enhancing the coordinated and collaborative approach to reducing the impact of violence on children and young people.