Stop And Search

Scotland's police chief Sir Stephen House has defended the use of non-statutory searches on children.

A promise, to end the practice, was made to Holyrood and watchdogs six months ago but continued.

Senior officers have appeared before the Scottish Police Authority today.

The force says only 18 checks on youngsters breached the policy, rather than a previously quoted figure of more than 350.

A ten-year old was recently searched after spray-painting a bus shelter, whilst youths were searched after throwing tones at passing traffic.

Meanwhile, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie, is callong for an apology from police chiefs over the continuing practice: "Before the bosses at Police Scotland start plotting for new powers to stop and search they need to explain their failure to end consensual searches of children under 12.  It was a clear breach of trust between Parliament and Police Scotland and must be addressed urgently. We must know what went wrong and quickly.  It is not acceptable for police bosses to carry on regardless.

"I am astonished that police bosses have not yet apologised to parliament and the hundreds of children searched.  They must apologise without any further delay."