Tagging scheme for young offenders ‘a failure’

Electronic tagging of children to stop them committing crimes has proved an expensive and largely ineffective tool, according to the first independent study of the controversial scheme.

The evaluation of the £12m pilot will prove embarrassing for former first minister Jack McConnell, who championed tagging as a key weapon in the so-called war on neds.

But its findings vindicate local authorities and charity groups, because the report shows one-to-one support given to 150 young people, without a tag, has proved extremely successful, and cheaper.