Police could gain power to search children for alcohol

Powers which would let police search children for alcohol could be brought in after a public consultation the Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has said.

Mr Matheson brought forward a number of amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill when he appeared before Holyrood’s Justice Committee yesterday.

The bill would also see an end to “consensual stop and search” and comes after the publication of report recently by an advisory group that found ending the practice would not negatively affect the work of Police Scotland.

Mr Matheson has said he will implement the recommendations – among them giving the police powers to search for alcohol.

MSPs passed an amendment yesterday that will allow for laws to search children under 18 for alcohol where there is “reasonable suspicion”.

Officers will also be able to search adults “hiding” alcohol for a child.

But the final decision on whether or not to implement the proposals will depend on the results of the consultation.

As the law stands, the police can take alcohol from those under 18 but have no power to search for it.

Mr Matheson said: “We are serious about implementing all of the (advisory group’s) recommendations swiftly and delivering on the new code of practice as soon as can be done practically. I have already said that we will carry out a consultation on new powers to search for alcohol.

“The advisory group were not able to form a concluded view on whether such a power was necessary or desirable, which is why they recommended a consultation.

“I will make a decision as to whether a specific power is needed after the consultation. However, if it’s decided that such a power is needed, I would seek the parliament’s consent to introduce it in a timely manner.”