Effectiveness of the police in Scotland

• Power to arrest and detain suspects

  • Arrest a person and charge them with a crime
  • Keep them in police custody for 24 hours to find more evidence
• Power of stop and search

  Search a person suspected of having an offensive weapon, stolen property, drugs or being a terrorist
• Power to enter properties

  Enter a building with a warrant or without one if they hear a disturbance, are pursuing a criminal or suspect it is a drug den
• Deterring crime through police presence

  Police presence at large public events acts as a deterrent from crime
• Community policing


  • Police officers get to know the public and develop local relationships
  • Attend local schools to build trust