The figures, published last week, were described as "disappointing" by justice minister Cathy Jamieson, who had called for a 10 per cent reduction by March 2006.
But instead of falling, the number of persistent young offenders increased to 1,260. Less than half of local authorities managed to reduce the numbers in the past year.
"Far too many local agencies have yet to get to grips with persistent offending," said Jamieson. "Local agencies need to be smarter in the way they work with young people."
The executive also announced last week that its pilot scheme to "fast track" young people through children's hearings provided no evidence that it was effective in reducing offending.
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