BBC Scotland Information
BBCKids who’re taken into police custody in Glasgow are being supplied a name to Childline in a scheme geared toward providing emotional assist and lowering the chance of reoffending.
Police Scotland mentioned being held in a police cell may very well be a “horrifying” expertise for younger people who find themselves usually susceptible and have advanced wants.
As a part of the scheme, under-19s will likely be given details about the confidential helpline run by kids’s charity, the NSPCC, and the possibility to speak to a counsellor.
It comes as a assessment of police custody amenities in Glasgow earlier this 12 months raised considerations that a number of kids had been held in cells for an “inappropriate” length of time.
Greater than 3,700 younger folks aged 12 to18 had been taken into police custody throughout Scotland between April 2024 and March this 12 months.
680 held overnight and 204 held for more than 24 hours.
Final month, a Scottish Police Authority report highlighted a better frequency of youthful folks being accused of crimes in recent times.
It mentioned these aged 16, 17 and 18 had been most probably to be accused of significant violence whereas 11 to 15-year-olds dedicated crimes referring to violence and threatening behaviour.
That youthful age group had an elevated prevalence for carrying weapons and there had been a rise within the variety of younger females changing into concerned in acts of violence, the report mentioned.
The altering nature of gangs and the exploitation of susceptible younger folks was recognized as a rising challenge.
Supt Mairi MacInnes, from Police Scotland’s Prison Justice Providers Division, mentioned kids and younger folks had been usually on the “level of disaster” when they’re detained.
“They’re very susceptible and infrequently have very advanced wants, each personally and emotionally which regularly performs out of their behaviour,” she mentioned.
“Clearly being in a custody surroundings doesn’t assist, which is why we work with companions to try to discover them assist and protected lodging elsewhere.”
The senior officer mentioned younger folks could really feel extra snug speaking to Childline about their issues than law enforcement officials.
The scheme follows a 10-week pilot at Glasgow’s London Highway Police Custody Unit which has been tailored to be a “calmer” surroundings for younger folks.
Kids had been supplied books, jigsaw puzzles and mushy toys – and the cells have brightly colored murals on the partitions, with posters carrying the Childline helpline quantity on the ceiling.
Custody Sgt Derek Taggart, who relies on the station, mentioned coming into custody may very well be a daunting expertise for youngsters, significantly if it was their first time.
He mentioned: “We get folks from all walks of life and so they’re all very susceptible for various circumstances.
“Childline are capable of bridge that hole that the police can’t.
“It is somebody for them to speak to and supply recommendation as a result of typically the police aren’t all the time the ‘go-to’ and it is a confidential name.”
Of the 107 younger folks introduced into custody in the course of the pilot, 97% accepted an data leaflet concerning the service.
It isn’t recognized what number of contacted the helpline because the service is confidential.
Lauren Burke, Childline staff supervisor in Glasgow, mentioned younger folks in custody who contact them usually say they really feel afraid and remoted.
She mentioned: “There may very well be various the reason why a toddler is in custody.
“It isn’t all the time as straight ahead as folks may suppose – it may very well be battle occurring at house, it may very well be exploitation.
“However what they all the time say to us is that they really feel very alone.
“So we need to present that emotional assist in order that they know they aren’t alone.
“Childline are right here 24 hours a day so, at any level that they get taken in, they’ll name us and simply have a chat and take a while to settle down.”
She mentioned typically kids simply need somebody to speak to, however counsellors can direct them to different providers.
The Glasgow mission is the primary in Scotland and Police Scotland and the NSPCC are hoping to roll it out throughout the nation.
The service was initially launched in Merseyside in 2023 and rolled out throughout Cheshire the next 12 months.
In March HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMCIS) and Healthcare Enchancment Scotland (HIS) examined three police custody centres within the metropolis and located 5 events the place kids had been held in cells for longer than deemed obligatory.
HMCIS has referred to as for “strong administration oversight” from Police Scotland over selections to detain kids in custody.
Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority say police custody is not any place for youngsters and younger folks, however is typically obligatory when no alternate options can be found.
A Police Scotland spokesman mentioned custody suites at London Highway and Glasgow Cathcart had been tailored for younger folks as a part of a “trauma knowledgeable strategy to enhance the surroundings when kids are detained.”
