Police have defended a surge in the use of stop and search tactics in Glenrothes.
Officers have increased their use of the approach since the creation of Police Scotland in April, with a 51% rise in stops and searches in the town compared to the same period last year.
The tactic is used to target people intent on anti-social behaviour, disorder, theft and violence.
New figures show 894 stops were made by Glenrothes police looking for alcohol, drugs or weapons. Of those, 28% had positive results compared with 18% the previous year.
Police have hailed the results as positive and said they had received no complaints from anybody stopped and searched.
Area commander Derek McEwan added that unlike other areas in Scotland, most of the searches were done on a voluntary basis, without officers having to use legislative powers.
But the figures saw some concern among local councillors when they were revealed at a meeting of Glenrothes area committee. Councillor Ian Sloan said: “People say it’s migrated from Strathclyde Police and wasn’t prevalent in Fife before. The vast majority of stop and search is among young adults. That’s becoming quite a high percentage and I don’t want to alienate a section of our community. Am I right to be concerned?”
Chief Inspector McEwan said he had no concerns over stop and search.
“I am emphasising to staff it’s about stopping the right people at the right time in the right circumstances,” he said. “I am heartened that the vast majority of stop and searches are voluntary and that’s contrary to other parts of Scotland.
“We encourage our officers to adopt a community style and engage people in conversation rather than adopt a uniform, hard-hitting approach.”
He added, however: “When we need to be hard-hitting, we will be. Not everybody has been happy to be stopped and searched but, to date, there have been no complaints in the Glenrothes area.
“It’s a useful tool and something we are encouraging staff to use more and more.”
Committee chairman Altany Craik said: “I’m encouraged we’re using it sensitively. We don’t want to be seen to be heavy handed.”