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Police Scotland admits stop-search data 'not accurate' Police Scotland admits stop-search data 'not accurate'
(35 minutes later)
Police Scotland's chief constable has said the force did not want to release stop-and-search data because he was not sure it was 100% accurate. Police Scotland's chief constable said the force had not wanted to release stop-and-search data because it was "not fit for public consumption".
Sir Stephen House was speaking at a special meeting of the watchdog, the Scottish Police Authority. Sir Stephen House told a special meeting of the police watchdog, the Scottish Police Authority, that he was forced to release the data.
The meeting was called after BBC Scotland revealed police had not discontinued searching under-12s as they had promised in June last year. It was released to the BBC under freedom of information legislation.
The chief constable said he was forced to release the data. BBC Scotland revealed police had not discontinued searching under-12s as they had promised in June last year.
Sir Stephen said: "This information was released under the freedom of information act on the express instruction of the Freedom of Information Commissioner in Scotland.Sir Stephen said: "This information was released under the freedom of information act on the express instruction of the Freedom of Information Commissioner in Scotland.
"We challenged whether it should be released because we were not 100% certain of the accuracy, we wanted more time to work on it. We were told 'no, release it now'."We challenged whether it should be released because we were not 100% certain of the accuracy, we wanted more time to work on it. We were told 'no, release it now'.
"It wasn't a consensual release it was legislation release." "It wasn't a consensual release, it was a legislation release."
The meeting was called after BBC Scotland reported that the data released by Police Scotland has shown 356 children aged under 12 had been subject to "consensual" searches, despite assurances from the force that the practice would cease. The meeting was called after BBC Scotland reported that the data released by Police Scotland had shown 356 children aged under 12 had been subject to "consensual" searches, despite assurances from the force that the practice would cease.
Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said analysis of the figures suggested that only 18 of the searches had been contrary to force policy. The chief constable said: "I think the BBC reported it as accurately as they could do.
"But the data was not 100% accurate and needed further interpretation."
Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said analysis of the figures now suggested that only 18 of the searches had been contrary to force policy.
A number of searches had been carried out under legislative powers, while others had taken place when a parent or guardian was present.A number of searches had been carried out under legislative powers, while others had taken place when a parent or guardian was present.
He said IT problems with data collection meant many other incidents of consensual stop-searches of children had been incorrectly recorded.He said IT problems with data collection meant many other incidents of consensual stop-searches of children had been incorrectly recorded.
The chief constable said IT problems had been identified before the data was released to the BBC.The chief constable said IT problems had been identified before the data was released to the BBC.
Sir Stephen began the meeting by calling for a non-partisan debate on the issue of stop-search powers. Following questions on why the Scottish Police Authority was not made aware of the 18 searches until now, Sir Stephen said he accepted that Police Scotland "made mistakes".
The chief constable began the meeting by calling for a non-partisan debate on the issue of stop-search powers.
He said the policy would continue to be an emotive issue.He said the policy would continue to be an emotive issue.
A balance had to be struck between the rights of the individual and ensuring the community was kept safe, Sir Stephen said.A balance had to be struck between the rights of the individual and ensuring the community was kept safe, Sir Stephen said.
The police intend to consult on ending non-statutory or "consensual" stop-and-search for all age groups.The police 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 itemsIllegal items
Tackling under-age drinking and the anti-social behaviour and crime associated with it is one potential problem.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 alcohol 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.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 the police data was released to the BBC.Last week, there was an outcry at Holyrood after the police data was released to the BBC.