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Police Scotland stopped and searched thousands of children Police Scotland stopped and searched thousands of children
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Police Scotland stopped and searched thousands of children between the ages of eight and 12 last year, according to data obtained by BBC Scotland.Police Scotland stopped and searched thousands of children between the ages of eight and 12 last year, according to data obtained by BBC Scotland.
Officers carried out 2,912 searches on children in that age group between April and December 2013.Officers carried out 2,912 searches on children in that age group between April and December 2013.
The figures were revealed ahead of the Scottish Police Authority publishing a review of the stop and search tactic.The figures were revealed ahead of the Scottish Police Authority publishing a review of the stop and search tactic.
Police Scotland said a total of 640,699 searches were carried out across the 12 months to the end of March. Police Scotland said the tactic had contributed to a reduction in violence and anti-social behaviour
The force said a total of 640,699 searches were carried out across the 12 months to the end of March.
The figure is three times higher than the 222,315 searches conducted by London's Metropolitan force, which polices a population greater than that of Scotland.The figure is three times higher than the 222,315 searches conducted by London's Metropolitan force, which polices a population greater than that of Scotland.
You can explore all the stop and search data using the SEARCHABLE DATABASE developed by BBC Scotland.You can explore all the stop and search data using the SEARCHABLE DATABASE developed by BBC Scotland.
The SPA has recommended Police Scotland should review its policy on stop and search. The force has set up a new unit to draw up guidelines and monitor its practices to ensure the tactic is employed in the same way across the country.The SPA has recommended Police Scotland should review its policy on stop and search. The force has set up a new unit to draw up guidelines and monitor its practices to ensure the tactic is employed in the same way across the country.
The Scottish Police Authority has been reviewing the data since January to assess the effectiveness of the tactic, which allows officers to search people for drugs, alcohol, stolen goods and weapons.The Scottish Police Authority has been reviewing the data since January to assess the effectiveness of the tactic, which allows officers to search people for drugs, alcohol, stolen goods and weapons.
The figures obtained by BBC Scotland, through a Freedom of Information request, showed that about 16% of the searches involving children in the eight to 12 age group yielded positive results.The figures obtained by BBC Scotland, through a Freedom of Information request, showed that about 16% of the searches involving children in the eight to 12 age group yielded positive results.
Force watchdogForce watchdog
Of these, 79% were consensual, where the child searched agreed to be searched and an officer did not require reasonable suspicion.Of these, 79% were consensual, where the child searched agreed to be searched and an officer did not require reasonable suspicion.
Children aged 16 were most commonly stopped (38,132), followed by 17-year-olds (32,409). Among young people, 16-year-olds were most commonly stopped (38,132), followed by 17-year-olds (32,409).
The figures also showed people in Glasgow were more than 10 times as likely to be stopped and searched by police than those in Aberdeen.
There were 3,027 searches per 10,000 people in Glasgow City compared with 297 searches per 10,000 people in Aberdeen.
There appeared to be no targeting of ethnic minorities in police stop and searches, with most involving Caucasian males.There appeared to be no targeting of ethnic minorities in police stop and searches, with most involving Caucasian males.
The data, for April to December, also revealed:The data, for April to December, also revealed:
Speaking ahead of the publication of the SPA's review, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said there had been "an explosion" in the number of stop and searches.
"The majority have very little legal basis, are carried out without intelligence or suspicion, and are not properly recorded," she said.
"Even very young children and over-85s are being treated like hooligans."
Comparisons 'unfair'Comparisons 'unfair'
The review of stop and search comes in the wake of Home Secretary Theresa May announcing an overhaul of the practice in England and Wales over concerns searches were used too widely and targeted ethnic minorities.The review of stop and search comes in the wake of Home Secretary Theresa May announcing an overhaul of the practice in England and Wales over concerns searches were used too widely and targeted ethnic minorities.
Police in Scotland have linked the tactic to reductions in violent crime and antisocial disorder. Police in Scotland have linked the tactic to reductions in violent crime and anti-social disorder.
The tactic was most prevalent in the old Strathclyde Police area, but has been extended nationwide following the creation of the new Police Scotland force.The tactic was most prevalent in the old Strathclyde Police area, but has been extended nationwide following the creation of the new Police Scotland force.
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson backed the policy and said cross-border comparisons were unfair. The SPA review said it was difficult to find a rationale for the roll-out of stop and search throughout Scotland.
He added: "We're using really good analytical products, intelligence products to be in the right places at the right time, and actually there is a positive hit rate. Authority member Brian Barbour said: "Our primary conclusion is that stop-and-search as a tactic does contribute to a reduction in violence and reducing anti-social behaviour, but the extent of that contribution is unknown.
"One in five people [stopped and searched] has either got a knife, a weapon, stolen goods, drugs or alcohol and that is actually very positive." "We could find no causal link between the reduction in violence and the volume of stop-and-search activity."
He added: "There are questions around proportionality and consistency of approach in the age profile of those searched, particularly those under 24, over 80 and indeed under 10s where it is questionable why children under 10 would be searched on a non-statutory basis; about perceived pressure on police officers to conduct a certain number of searches; and about the impact of stop-and-search on different groups particularly young people and different communities."
'Intelligence-led'
Police Scotland Chief Constable Stephen House said stop and search "has contributed to violence and anti-social behaviour reductions across Scotland".
However, he accepted that "processes and communications can and should be improved".
He added: "We will take all appropriate steps to ensure that stop and search is carried out as part of our engagement with the public, to detect weapons, drugs and alcohol and to deter people from carrying these in the future.
"We will also ensure that it is done in an intelligence-led way with respect for the rights of individuals so that the public have confidence and trust in the policing service that we offer.
"While I am confident that we have gone a considerable way to strengthen our stop and search procedures, the recommendations we have just heard contained in the report provide an opportunity for us to further address concerns and to review, develop and improve our processes and communications even more.
The Scottish government said stop and search was "one important tool police use to prevent and detect crime and protect citizens and communities".
A spokesman added: "The use of stop and search contributes to the fact that crime is at an almost 40 year low, violent crime has fallen by half since 2007, homicides at their lowest rate since records began and crimes of handling an offensive weapon are down by 60 per cent since 2006/07.
"We will continue to make sure the people of Scotland get the best policing possible and today's SPA report is a welcome contribution to this."
Speaking ahead of the publication of the SPA's review, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said there had been "an explosion" in the number of stop and searches.
"The majority have very little legal basis, are carried out without intelligence or suspicion, and are not properly recorded," she said.