Stop And Search Changes

Children under the age of 12 will no longer be searched.

Police Scotland is to scrap the controversial policy of carrying out stop searches on children under 12.

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson told a Holyrood committee that children under the age of criminal responsibility couldn’t be responsible for agreeing to a search.

And he said a pilot scheme that could revolutionise the procedure, is to start in Fife in a fortnight.

Raising the age limit and the reforms being piloted in the Kingdom are directed at the consensual search – and include new, clearer wording to explain its voluntary aspect.

People who have been searched will be given an advice slip outlining what the procedure is and giving a contact number for feedback to Police Scotland.

Officers taking part in the procedure will be given new guidance on when they should use the stop and search.

Statutory stop and searches, which are used in more serious situations, will still apply to children.

The pilot results will be reported upon and analysed before being rolled out across Scotland.

LibDem Justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes is welcoming the move.

She says Police Scotland has finally conceded the position was indefensible, and this is a victory for children and their rights.