Police watchdog to review stop and search policy in Scotland

Police Scotland's controversial stop and search policy is to come under scrutiny by the force watchdog.

The Scottish Police Authority is holding a meeting to review the tactic, where officers search for drugs, alcohol, stolen goods and weapons.

There has been a huge rise in searches since Scotland's new single force was created. More than half a million cases were reported between April and December last year. That is proportionately four times the rate in England and Wales. Almost three-quarters were said to be consensual, where the person searched agreed to it.

Police, who say the number of searches has recently dropped, have linked the tactic to reductions in violent crime and antisocial 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 SPA will discuss the effectiveness of the policy at a public meeting in the Trades Hall, Glassford Street, Glasgow, at 14:00 on Friday.

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