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Police Scotland to consult on halt to "non-statutory" searches.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has yesterday welcomed moves by Police Scotland towards ending the practice of non-statutory, or so-called “consensual” stop and search.

Announcing the development at First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister said she had spoken to Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House on the issue, and that the force is now in consultation with its partners, with a view to ending non-statutory stop and search.

Commenting, the First Minister said:

“I have spoken to the Chief Constable about stop and search. Following a six-month pilot in Fife, he is considering whether the practice of non-statutory or 'consensual' stop and search should be ended, and I welcome this. We need to ensure that the public can continue to be properly protected in the event that the practice comes to an end.

“I have therefore asked Police Scotland to consult with their partners, the Scottish Police Authority and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland on the way forward. I have asked that the Cabinet Secretary for Justice is updated before the end of March, and I give an assurance that Parliament will also be kept fully updated.”

The First Minister added:

“Stop and search can be a vital tool in combatting crime and in protecting the public, but there has been legitimate public concern about the practice of non-statutory searches which involve people being stopped in the street and searched after giving their verbal consent.

“The police should always have the resources and powers they need to combat crime, which is why we have delivered an extra 1,000 police officers, ensuring that our communities are properly protected. At the same time, crime has now fallen to a 40-year low.

“This Government will always make sure police officers have the necessary tools, but at the same time it is vital that our police command the confidence of the public in going about their duties, and that is why now is the right time to review this practice.

“I look forward to the results of the consultation process and to Parliament being updated in due course.”