A report by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) revealed that 17 attempted murders during the three-month period involved 20 children – up sharply from five incidents involving minors in the same period last year. The cases spanned nine Police Scotland divisions, meaning children were linked to almost 24 per cent of all attempted murders where a suspect was identified, compared with just over seven per cent a year earlier.

David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, said multiple factors may be driving the rise, including “the lack of deterrent”. He warned: “There is no question adults are identifying young, vulnerable people and getting them to carry out crime. It’s a fertile ground for criminals to operate in and policing needs more resources to tackle it.”

The SPA report also recorded 52 weapons offences in schools between April and June – up from 43 in the same period last year.

The data comes amid a series of high-profile killings involving teenagers. In March, 15-year-old Amen Teklay was fatally stabbed in Glasgow, with two boys aged 15 and 16 denying murder. In May, 16-year-old Kayden Moy was killed in Ayrshire, and two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old were charged in connection with the case.

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conservatives’ education spokesman, described the rise as “hugely worrying” and “incredibly serious”. He said: “It’s time the Scottish government woke up to an epidemic of violence in our classrooms and on our streets. A series of soft policies in relation to young criminals have not worked and it’s time to get tough on those who think attempting to take someone’s life is a reasonable course of action.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “Any violent incident should be condemned. Whilst overall youth violence has been decreasing, that is of no comfort to victims, which is why we continue to tackle youth violence through education programmes, effective consequences for offences, appropriate police powers and sustained school and community engagement with young people.

“The Scottish government has made it crystal clear there is no reason to ever carry a weapon, including a knife, at any time.

“This is backed by an investment of more than £6 million since 2023 to implement the violence prevention framework which includes action to address the carrying of weapons in and around schools.

“In addition, we are providing support and direction at a national level, including through the national relationships and behaviour in schools action plan, which includes recently published guidance on consequences and on risk assessment for violent, aggressive and dangerous behaviour.”