Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019

74 Additional powers and duties of constables

(1) This section applies where a constable—

(a) is authorised to take a child to a place of safety and to keep the child there by virtue of section 28,

(b) is authorised to carry out a search by an order under section 36,

(c) is authorised to carry out an investigative interview of a child by a child interview order,

(d) is authorised to question a child by virtue of section 54,

(e) is authorised to take relevant physical data or relevant samples from a child—

(i) by an order under section 63, or

(ii) by virtue of section 69.

(2) The authorisation mentioned in subsection (1) includes authorisation to use reasonable force.

(3) Subsections (4) to (6) apply where a constable is authorised—

(a) to use reasonable force under subsection (2), or

(b) to carry out a search by virtue of section 33 and the enactment under which the search may be carried out authorises the constable to use reasonable force (however expressed).

(4) A constable, before deciding to use reasonable force in relation to a child under 12 years of age, must take all reasonable steps to seek and obtain the cooperation of the child.

(5) A constable may use reasonable force in relation to a child under 12 years of age only as a last resort.

(6) Where a constable resorts to the use of reasonable force in relation to a child under 12 years of age, the constable must—

(a) use no more force than is absolutely necessary, and

(b) in so far as is reasonably practicable, explain to the child why the constable considers force must be used.