Commission welcomes move to end non-statutory stop and search

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has today welcomed an announcement by the Justice Secretary that non-statutory stop and search will come to an end in Scotland.

Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Commission, said:

“The Commission strongly welcomes today’s news that a new statutory code of practice will be introduced to underpin all police stop and search. We have repeatedly called for an end to the use of non-statutory stop and search by Police Scotland because of the human rights concerns raised by the practice.

“The Commission will engage with the Scottish Government and others on the important matter of strengthening accountability and scrutiny of policing. Embedding a human rights based approach to policing can help to rebuild public trust and strengthen policing across Scotland.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The Scottish Human Rights Commission is an independent public body with a remit to promote and protect human rights for everyone in Scotland. It is accredited as an “A status” national human rights institution within the UN system.
2. The Commission called for an end to non-statutory stop and search in February and reported its concerns to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in July.