In a statement, Head of Advice and Investigations, Nick Hobbs, said:

“Every child deprived of liberty has the right to be treated with humanity, dignity and in a way that takes into account the needs of their age. We are deeply concerned to hear about the numbers of children under 18 being kept overnight in police custody. Children in conflict with the law need to be treated first and foremost as children and a human rights- based approach takes into account the State’s duty to protect them. When Police deprive children of their liberty it must only be a measure of last resort, must take place for the shortest possible time and should always been in an age-appropriate facility. We intend to seek further information from Police Scotland including by raising directly with the Independent Advisory Group.”