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Police Scotland wants new child search powers | Police Scotland wants new child search powers |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Police Scotland wants a new power to search children and young people for alcohol. | Police Scotland wants a new power to search children and young people for alcohol. |
It is among the measures the force thinks may be needed to replace non-statutory stop-and-search. | |
The chief constable will be asked to set out these possible alternatives by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). | The chief constable will be asked to set out these possible alternatives by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). |
The watchdog is holding a special meeting after BBC Scotland revealed police had not discontinued searching under-12s as promised. | The watchdog is holding a special meeting after BBC Scotland revealed police had not discontinued searching under-12s as promised. |
The police now intend to consult on ending non-statutory or "consensual" stop-and-search for all age groups. | |
But they believe this will leave gaps in their ability to protect the public that must be filled. | But they believe this will leave gaps in their ability to protect the public that must be filled. |
Illegal items | Illegal items |
Tackling under-age drinking and the anti-social behaviour and crime associated with it is one potential problem. | |
At the moment, officers can confiscate booze from under-18s but have no specific power to search for it. | At the moment, officers can confiscate booze from under-18s but have no specific power to search for it. |
The police would like the law changed to grant them that power before they give up "consensual" searches. | The police would like the law changed to grant them that power before they give up "consensual" searches. |
Officers have statutory powers to stop-and-search for illegal items such as guns, knives or drugs. | |
But they make much wider use of a non-statutory power to search people who give their consent. | But they make much wider use of a non-statutory power to search people who give their consent. |
Of the 640,699 searches recorded by Police Scotland in its first year, alcohol was the main reason for almost a third of them. | Of the 640,699 searches recorded by Police Scotland in its first year, alcohol was the main reason for almost a third of them. |
Of the 201,126 alcohol-related searches, most of which were non-statutory, about 40% involved under-18s. | Of the 201,126 alcohol-related searches, most of which were non-statutory, about 40% involved under-18s. |
In 25,846 cases, young people stopped and searched by police were carrying alcohol. | In 25,846 cases, young people stopped and searched by police were carrying alcohol. |
But concerns have been raised about the capacity of younger children to give informed consent to be searched. | But concerns have been raised about the capacity of younger children to give informed consent to be searched. |
Last June, Police Scotland said it would stop "consensual" searches on children under the age of 12. | Last June, Police Scotland said it would stop "consensual" searches on children under the age of 12. |
Last week, there was an outcry at Holyrood after it emerged that hundreds of children had been searched since then. | Last week, there was an outcry at Holyrood after it emerged that hundreds of children had been searched since then. |
The chief constable, Sir Stephen House, has called for an open debate on alternatives. | The chief constable, Sir Stephen House, has called for an open debate on alternatives. |
"We need to consider a range of measures that could replace the current policing tactic of consensual stop-and-search," he said. | |
Known housebreakers | Known housebreakers |
The SPA will ask Sir Stephen to provide an "initial examination" of options and alternatives at its meeting. | The SPA will ask Sir Stephen to provide an "initial examination" of options and alternatives at its meeting. |
It is understood that the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents has previously argued for a specific power to search for alcohol. | It is understood that the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents has previously argued for a specific power to search for alcohol. |
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, is not convinced that goes far enough. | The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, is not convinced that goes far enough. |
The federation's general secretary, Calum Steele, said ending "consensual" searches would leave "almost innumerable" gaps in police powers. | The federation's general secretary, Calum Steele, said ending "consensual" searches would leave "almost innumerable" gaps in police powers. |
In particular, he said it would be difficult for officers to search known housebreakers without specific intelligence that they had re-offended. | In particular, he said it would be difficult for officers to search known housebreakers without specific intelligence that they had re-offended. |
HM Inspector of Constabulary, Derek Penman, has carried out an audit of stop-and-search and is due to report by the end of March. | |
He is expected to recommend a shift towards greater use of statutory powers and improvements in officer training and how searches are recorded. | He is expected to recommend a shift towards greater use of statutory powers and improvements in officer training and how searches are recorded. |
Speaking ahead of the SPA meeting, a Scottish government spokeswoman said it would explore whether any legislative changes are required once the process has been completed. | Speaking ahead of the SPA meeting, a Scottish government spokeswoman said it would explore whether any legislative changes are required once the process has been completed. |