24/7 Legal Advice
Police Scotland have announced that despite a small decrease (0.2%) in the number of stop and searches carried out from April to December last year, there has been a marked increase in the number of positive results, up from 13.9% to 19.7%.
Looking at the stop and search statistics in more detail they show that:
- Over 90% related to drugs alcohol and/or weapons.
- Around 37% of firearms related searches had a positive result and led to the recovery of 166 firearms.
- Approximately 33% of searches carried out during investigations into stolen property were successful and led to the recovery of over 11,000 stolen items.
- Almost 37% of alcohol related searches yielded positive results and led to 61,541 recoveries, making this type of search the most successful in terms of positive results.
However, the Scottish Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over the figures, with Chair Professor Alan Miller stating that around 70% of the stop and searches carried out were non statutory i.e. were not carried out in circumstances where there was a reasonable suspicion that the person was involved in unlawful activity.
“Such an increased and extensive use of this form of stop and search power can, dependent upon the circumstances, be unlawful, be carried out without informed and freely given consent, and have a longer term adverse impact upon police and community relations," he said.
"Scotland should not be repeating the mistakes and lessons learned in England and Wales, where the use of stop and search is reducing.”
If you have been charged with an offence and would like to speak to a criminal defence lawyer, give us a call on 01383 730466 (Dunfermline) or 01592 640680 (Kirkcaldy) or contact us online here.
