Children held too long in custody

Watchdog blast as kids kept for up to 12 hours

- BY GEMMA RYDER

POLICE Scotland has been rapped by a watchdog after kids were held in cells for an "inappropriate" length of time.

An inspection of custody centres in September at Glasgow's London Road, Govan and Cathcart police stations, by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland, found records from July showing kids had been held for longer than necessary five times.

They included a 13-year-old held in police custody for over six hours.

Three children aged 14 were held for over six, 10 and 12 hours respectively.