Summary
An investigation by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner has found children in Scotland are being subjected to police use of force without proper recording and monitoring.
The Commissioner investigated how often police had used force against children like Tasers, incapacitating spray, spit hoods, bite guards, strip searches, and “empty hand” techniques which include punches and kicks.
She found vital aspects of the data were missing – meaning Police Scotland’s actions can’t be properly scrutinised.
Gaps included no recording of whether a child has a disability, unless related to Taser use. Most records also lack specific details of a child’s age.
This is particularly concerning as children may be at greater risk of harm from the use of force due to their size or stage of development, while specific groups of children may have additional vulnerabilities that place them more at risk.
The Commissioner is calling for an immediate end to police using Tasers or PAVA (incapacitating spray) on children in custody settings, and further work by Police Scotland to restrict the use of both.
The Commissioner has made 21 recommendations in her report for Police Scotland, SPA, Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (PIRC), and the Scottish Government. These include:
- Police Scotland and the SPA should identify the cause of inaccurate reporting, address it, and make sure it’s accurate.
- Police Scotland and Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (PIRC) should ensure data held on use of PAVA and Taser is accurate and consistent.
- Police Scotland should record data on disability, age, ethnicity, and sex, for all uses of force against children, in one accessible place.
- Police Scotland should immediately stop the use of Taser and PAVA spray in custody settings.
- An independent working group should be established to support Police Scotland to review guidance and training against relevant human rights standards, in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Police Scotland should work with the Scottish Government to make sure they have necessary resources to improve recording and reporting on data.