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Consensual stop-and-searches by Police Scotland to end Consensual stop-and-searches by Police Scotland to end
(about 3 hours later)
Police Scotland is to stop carrying out non-statutory stop-and-searches of adults and children, the justice secretary has confirmed.Police Scotland is to stop carrying out non-statutory stop-and-searches of adults and children, the justice secretary has confirmed.
It comes after the Scottish government asked John Scott QC to examine the controversial practice.It comes after the Scottish government asked John Scott QC to examine the controversial practice.
His report found that ending the searches would not prevent officers carrying out their duties effectively.His report found that ending the searches would not prevent officers carrying out their duties effectively.
A BBC Scotland investigation had found that children under 12 were being searched.A BBC Scotland investigation had found that children under 12 were being searched.
This was despite a police promise that they would not be.This was despite a police promise that they would not be.
Code of practiceCode of practice
In a statement to MSPs at Holyrood, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said a new new statutory code of practice, as recommended by Mr Scott, would be introduced to underpin how stop and search is used in Scotland.In a statement to MSPs at Holyrood, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said a new new statutory code of practice, as recommended by Mr Scott, would be introduced to underpin how stop and search is used in Scotland.
A consultation on the new code of practice will be held, and will also examine whether the police should have the power to search children under 18 for alcohol.A consultation on the new code of practice will be held, and will also examine whether the police should have the power to search children under 18 for alcohol.
The expert advisory group led by Mr Scott will remain in place to give advice on the final version of the code of practice once the consultation is complete.The expert advisory group led by Mr Scott will remain in place to give advice on the final version of the code of practice once the consultation is complete.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had requested the independent investigation by Mr Scott at the beginning of the summer.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had requested the independent investigation by Mr Scott at the beginning of the summer.
Mr Scott's report made a series of key recommendations, which included:Mr Scott's report made a series of key recommendations, which included:
Mr Scott said in his report: "If non-statutory stop-and-search is ended, officers of Police Scotland will still be able to carry out their duties effectively.Mr Scott said in his report: "If non-statutory stop-and-search is ended, officers of Police Scotland will still be able to carry out their duties effectively.
"Abolition will not result in any significant gaps."Abolition will not result in any significant gaps.
"Specifically, officers will still be able to respond to any welfare or protection issues they encounter."Specifically, officers will still be able to respond to any welfare or protection issues they encounter.
"Action will still be possible even when required on an emergency basis, whether carried out by police officers, social workers, medical staff or others.""Action will still be possible even when required on an emergency basis, whether carried out by police officers, social workers, medical staff or others."
ANALYSISANALYSIS
By Marc Ellison, BBC Scotland data journalistBy Marc Ellison, BBC Scotland data journalist
On the day the Scott Report is published, Police Scotland released the latest quarterly data in not one, but two spreadsheets.On the day the Scott Report is published, Police Scotland released the latest quarterly data in not one, but two spreadsheets.
So, what did they tell us?So, what did they tell us?
What is more interesting is the fact that Police Scotland released a separate, second spreadsheet for the month of June. This data has been extracted from "an enhanced national database was rolled out across Scotland on 1 June 2015 together with changes to operational practice and recording procedures."What is more interesting is the fact that Police Scotland released a separate, second spreadsheet for the month of June. This data has been extracted from "an enhanced national database was rolled out across Scotland on 1 June 2015 together with changes to operational practice and recording procedures."
The enhanced database apparently includes additional validations designed to improve the quality of the data by preventing inaccurate data capture through "input error".The enhanced database apparently includes additional validations designed to improve the quality of the data by preventing inaccurate data capture through "input error".
The fact that this data has been released separately serves to draw a line under how the force has recorded the use of this controversial tactic.The fact that this data has been released separately serves to draw a line under how the force has recorded the use of this controversial tactic.
Read more from MarcRead more from Marc
The Scott Report also found that officers had been required to meet targets on consensual stop-and-searches.The Scott Report also found that officers had been required to meet targets on consensual stop-and-searches.
It said: "It seems clear that the use of targets, or KPIs, featuring stop and search, led to a proliferation in the use of the tactic, both before and following the establishment of Police Scotland.It said: "It seems clear that the use of targets, or KPIs, featuring stop and search, led to a proliferation in the use of the tactic, both before and following the establishment of Police Scotland.
"Even some police sources have conceded that the extent of use of the tactic took it beyond any available intelligence and best use of officer hours.""Even some police sources have conceded that the extent of use of the tactic took it beyond any available intelligence and best use of officer hours."
Learning disabilitiesLearning disabilities
However, a spokesman for Police Scotland insisted that the force "did not have and does not have any targets around the volume of stop and search."
He added: "The number of stop searches has dropped every year of Police Scotland and the number of stop searches carried out in the final years of the eight legacy forces was higher in than the first year of Police Scotland."
In June 2014, Police Scotland told MSPs it would abolish the "indefensible" practice of consensual stop-searches for children.In June 2014, Police Scotland told MSPs it would abolish the "indefensible" practice of consensual stop-searches for children.
However, the BBC found that it had not ended and 356 children had been searched by police. Two thirds of these were consensual, and 91% recovered no items.However, the BBC found that it had not ended and 356 children had been searched by police. Two thirds of these were consensual, and 91% recovered no items.
The nine-strong advisory group found that people with learning disabilities were subject of stop-and-search in "situations where they did not understand at the time what was happening".The nine-strong advisory group found that people with learning disabilities were subject of stop-and-search in "situations where they did not understand at the time what was happening".
The report stated: "In one example, an individual with mild learning disability did not know whether the three searches to which he had been subjected had been statutory or non-statutory."The report stated: "In one example, an individual with mild learning disability did not know whether the three searches to which he had been subjected had been statutory or non-statutory."