Thank you for the invitation to appear before the committee today to discuss the stop and search code of practice. Members will be aware that the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing took evidence on 26 January from John Scott QC and others, and the sub-committee has already considered issues that were raised in written evidence. I thought that it would be helpful to make some brief opening remarks before taking questions.
Stop and search is at the heart of the delicate balance that we need to strike between the need to protect people and keep them safe and the need to safeguard the rights of the individual. I have therefore been keen to achieve consensus on the issue. I have also been keen to ensure that any changes to stop and search are evidence based and that we use legislation to effect change where it is necessary.
I thank committee members past and present for their interest in the area and for their constructive engagement with me during the passage of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016. I was keen to continue that collaborative and evidence-based approach when revising the draft code after the public consultation. That is why I established the stop and search advisory group, which was chaired by John Scott QC. I place on record my sincere thanks to John Scott and the group for their significant contribution to this work.
I recognise that Police Scotland has already made significant improvements on stop and search in advance of the code coming into force. Police Scotland has engaged willingly, positively and constructively with the advisory group and with the Government in the production of the code. I know that John Scott and the group greatly appreciate that.
It is important to note that there is consensus among advisory group members about all the changes that have been made to the draft code as a result of the consultation responses. It is also important to note that the code will be kept under regular review and that any further changes to the code will be made on the basis of evidence.
I have asked the advisory group to continue to play a role in helping the Government to assess evidence after the code has been in force for 12 months, with an interim assessment after six months. If the evidence points to the need for a change in the code or changes to legislation, we will consider that in due course.
In summary, we have taken an evidence-based, collaborative approach to drafting the code. The code gives us a sound framework to record and monitor how stop and search is being used and to gather further evidence. I will continue to work with the advisory group, key stakeholders and the committee to assess and act on that evidence as it emerges.
I am happy to take any questions.