HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland welcomes the announcement from Police Scotland today (Thursday, February 5,) of its intention to consider alternatives to the use of consensual stop and search and to consult with its partners, HMICS and the Scottish Police Authority on what these should be.

A five month HMICS audit and assurance review of Stop and Search activity within Police Scotland is in its final stages with publication due before the end of March.

The review has assessed the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the process for recording stop and search within Police Scotland and the procedures for its supervision, audit and governance.

It has also examined the impact of the performance framework and targets in relation to stop and search activity.

When the review is published next month it will include comment on the issue of non-consensual searches of those aged under 12 years and will make recommendations in relation to recording of alcohol seizures and alternatives to the use of consensual stop and search.

The report, on what is the first phase of the HMICS review, will be laid before Scottish Parliament and its contents will be shared with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. It will be followed later this year by the second phase of the HMICS audit and assurance review which will be a rigorous and independent audit of stop and search recording. A further report on its findings will go to the Scottish Parliament.

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Note to news editors

The full Terms of Reference of the HMICS Audit and Assurance Review can be found at: http://hmics.org/publications/hmics-audit-and-assurance-review-stop-and-...

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