THE police force covering Herefordshire has defended its policy of stopping and searching children.

Media reports last week suggest West Mercia Police has used stop and search powers on more than 1,300 children over the past two years – including three under the age of five.

The figures were published following a Freedom of Information request to police forces across the country by the Sunday Times.

But the practice was defended by Mark Travis, West Mercia’s Police Superintendent who said children can be used as “exploited victims”.

“Stop and search is used to detect certain types of crime to help make our communities safer,” he said.

“In very limited occasions some criminals use babies and/or young children to conceal their illegal items in an attempt to avoid detection.

“Children are amongst the most vulnerable members of society. Specific guidance is provided to officers regarding their use of stop and search powers towards children and young persons in the Stop and Search Toolkit.”

Supt Travis said in situations where a child is searched and illegal items are found in their possession, the child is generally considered an exploited victim – with no capacity to make their own choices, rather than an offender.

“The use of stop and search in children and young people is very limited,”

He added. “The approach taken is to stop and change concerning behaviour; we do not seek to criminalise young people.”

He said the police often receive calls from members of the public reporting that they have seen a person with an item that causes concern for the welfare of the child and other people.

Any complaints about stop and search are taken seriously, he finally said.

The Sunday Times findings revealed 182 children aged under five in London had been the subject of stop and search in the past five years. Greater Manchester Police had the second highest rate of stop and search use against under fives, with 45 cases recorded.