Police shouldn't investigate all underage sex, say chiefs

Published on Monday 7 January 2008 09:20

POLICE chiefs have called for new guidelines on underage sex to be introduced.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) believes cases of consensual sex involving under-16s should no longer be automatically referred for police investigations.

Tom Halpin, the Lothian and Borders Assistant Chief Constable and the Acpos spokesman on sexual offences, said some young people felt criminalised by the issue.

An Acpos spokesman said the organisation had made a submission to the Scottish Government on the issue.

The police chiefs believe investigations should take place only where there is evidence of exploitation, including bribery, threats and grooming, or where alcohol or other substances were involved.

Under the current arrangements, teachers, health and social workers and children's charities are obliged to tell the police if they become aware that an underage youngster has had sex and police then have to investigate.

Mr Halpin said: "We recognise young people make life choices which do include full sexual relationships with a partner at an age most people believe is too early.

"We don't seek to criminalise whole sections of society but we do seek to ensure they are protected from dangerous individuals."