The Scottish Government has outlined the Whole System Approach, which will use early intervention to keep young people out of trouble and save public money. The principles include:

• Early intervention to divert minor offenders towards positive activities focusing on under 18s for the first time
• Sharing intelligence on serious and persistent offenders across agencies to identify and challenge behaviour
• More effective risk assessment, ensuring resources are targeted at those at highest risk of reoffending
• Greater use of community service to develop skills and encourage safer communities.

It follows a successful pilot in Aberdeen which has shown significant cost savings and seen a reduction in youth crime of almost 10%. The number of young people committing crimes has also gone down in Aberdeen by almost 16% in the last year, compared with 2009/10.