In considering the Police Scotland Review of the ABOD Parade on10 August 2019, Members discussed the significant issue of the detention of Young People. Could the Chief Constable comment on:
a) the rights of Children and Young People considered at parades, given the different level of protection by UNCRC?
and,
b) what learning points have been taken forward in respect of this parade in relation to the detention of young people?
PSNI has, for the last number of years, appointed a single Gold Commander with overarching responsibility or all parades, events, bonfires etc. While the number of such parades and events that take place in Northern Ireland each year is such that this Gold Commander cannot hold Gold responsibility for every event, they are responsible for striking the overall Gold Strategy each year.
In the event that another Gold Commander is appointed for a specific parade or event, they are responsible for the Gold Strategy for that parade or event. In practice they are likely to adopt the overarching strategy either in full, or substantially and the considerations with respect to Children and Young people will remain.
Since 2018, the rights of Children and Young people have been given specific consideration in the key principles set out within the overarching Strategy, as follows:
“Special consideration should be given to the heightened vulnerabilities of children and members of other vulnerable groups in relation to the use of force. PSNI have incorporated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into police practice via Policy Directive 13/06. Article 3 of this Convention requires the best interests of children to be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children.”
The review concludes that the PSNI in general terms delivered a well planned, safe and secure event which involved some 24,000 people. The parade was policed in line with the Gold Commander’s Strategy and the wider Strategy and Vision that the PSNI seeks to achieve.
As advised in a letter to the Chair of the Performance Committee on 23 April 2020, the review developed 8 recommendations which we have considered and these are being managed through our Public Order/Public Safety Board. I attach a copy of that letter. None of the recommendations related directly to the detention of young people.