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More than 100 scottish children strip-searched in last three years

POLICE in Scotland have subjected more than 100 children to strip-searches in the past three years, official figures revealed today.

The force has used the practice on at least 114 under-18s held in police custody since 2017, despite only 13 resulting in officers finding items of concern.

The figures from Police Scotland show that people as young as 13 were strip-searched, but 86 per cent of such searches of all detainees in police custody this year found no item of concern.

Between April and October this year, five 14-year-olds and 16 15-year-olds were strip-searched. Only four of these produced positive results.

A strip-search can leave children “humiliated and distressed” and should only be undertaken when there is “clear evidence that it is required,” the office of the Children and Young People's Commissioner said.

The organisation’s Nick Hobbs said: "We must be concerned when the number of searches where anything is found is so low as it suggests that many children may be undergoing body searches unnecessarily.

“This data should prompt Police Scotland to consider practice and training in this area.”

People can be strip-searched by police for “care and welfare reasons,” while suspects detained for drug offences are also brought to custody suites to be searched.

In the former case, searches can be authorised by the custody supervisor unless the person is under 18, in which case approval must be given by an officer of inspector rank or higher.

Criminal Justice Services Division superintendent Phil Davidson said the “effective method” is “undertaken for the primary care and welfare of that person to ensure they don’t come to harm, as well as considerations for staff safety.”

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