The use of stop and search in Scotland remains higher than in England despite the introduction of a new code, which was introduced as a result of concerns over the number of people being searched without legal basis. For the first six months of the new code there was a drop in figures but this continues to rise.

In Scotland that are 5.4 searches for every 10000 people, whereas this is only 4.3 in the England. The new code stipulates that searches must be “necessary, proportionate and in accordance with the law”. This has raised questions as to whether further questions need to be answered.