Police Scotland want to use satellites to track repeat offenders 24-hours a day – and keep domestic abusers away from their victims.
Documents seen by the Press and Journal reveal that the new single force is seeking new powers to know where career criminals are at all times.
The papers also reveal that senior officers would support the tagging of both domestic abusers and their victims, to keep them a safe distance apart.
Last night the plans were given a cautious welcome by victim support groups – but they warned the system must not be used as an alternative to prison.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is consulting on options for the use of new technology to monitor the whereabouts of sex offenders after serial paedophile Ryan Yates attempted to abduct two children in Aberdeen.
The 34-year-old had been out of prison for just five days when he tried to kill a grandmother in the Bridge of Don in October 2009, so he could kidnap and rape her granddaughters.
New measures have been drafted which would require such criminals to be monitored by GPS.
However, Police Scotland’s response to the minister’s ongoing consultation reveals that they want the powers to extend beyond sex offenders.
Current electronic tagging allows law enforcement bodies to tell if a person is in a certain room at a certain time. But GPS allows them to know exactly where they are at all times.
The force said it believes there is a “compelling case” for new legislation which would allow persistent offenders to be tracked by GPS.
It is also backing the use of GPS tagging on people out on bail whom the courts believe could be a flight risk.
The force also believes the devices could be used to keep domestic abuse victims safe.
“Recent technological advancements allow for a more sophisticated application of GPS monitoring; namely a portable, monitored exclusion zone around the victim,” the force said.
“Police Scotland supports these advancements and agrees that such GPS monitoring applications are explored and their viability tested.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said it was “analysing” the police comments and would respond later this year.
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