Gormley: police must still be allowed to search young people for alcohol

Police officers must still be allowed to search young people for alcohol once a new code of practice is introduced, the single force’s Chief Constable has said.

Phil Gormley’s comments come as the Scottish government consults on the extent of Police Scotland’s powers after non-statutory stop and search is abolished.

He said: “It’s a really sensitive issue and I understand the sensitivities. I think with proper training, respect and a professional approach, on occasion we would want to be able to . There will be occasions in order to protect children when we will need to do it.

“With the code of practice and the end of consensual stop and search we must maintain public trust and confidence.”

He added that misuse of these powers negatively affected the public’s view of the police: “With the abuse of those sort of powers, and I’ve seen it elsewhere, you see public confidence drift away very quickly.

“But public confidence is also vested in a police service doing the job it needs to do. I can see instances where we would want to be able . It won’t be very often and we need to do it very thoughtfully, but in order to protect ­children and young people I think on occasion we will need to do that.”

Police Scotland called for and “evidence gathering” period of six months following the introduction of the new code.

Tam Baillie, Scotland’s children and young people’s commissioner, said existing seizure powers were sufficient after Police Scotland suggested new powers may be needed to be written into law.

The practice of non-statutory stop and search was brought to an end after a group led by John Scott QC determined abolishing it would not stop officers from carrying out their duties.