POLICE Scotland has formally unveiled the country's first national specialist unit to tackle child abuse.

The team - based in Livingston but with nationwide hubs - is designed to end a post-code lottery in such investigations.

It is the latest in a series of Scotland-wide units set up over the last two years, including a national centre on rape.

Up and running since January, the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit or NCAIU, have looked in to child deaths, sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, online child abuse and grooming.

Chief constable Sir Stephen House, said: "Child abuse, including child sexual exploitation, is a complex, challenging area of policing and we owe it to all those affected, whether now or in the past, to thoroughly investigate each and every report we receive.

"The NCAIU is about providing specialist investigative support. "However, part of our success in delivering child protection is local officers working with their partners in communities throughout Scotland.

"To be clear, the abuse and neglect of children is an issue for all of our communities. This is unacceptable. Children and young people should be allowed to live their lives without the fear of abuse or exploitation.

"We will proactively target those who pose a risk to children and work with our partners to ensure that support is available for victims."

The specialist unit model pioneered by Police Scotland has come under criticism, mostly recently from rank-and-file officers in the Highlands and North-East.

The new child abuse unit, however, was welcomed, Education Secretary Angela Constance.

She said: "The launch of this new police unit should enable more to be done to target, and bring to justice, those who seek to harm children and is a welcome development."

Charities also welcomed the new team. But Paul Carberry, of Action for Children Scotland, warned it was everybody's job, not just the police's, to protect children.

He said: "Adults from all walks of life must be equipped to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation, not just listening to what children are saying but seeing what is evident in their actions or behaviour.

"We need to be aware and vigilant, and ensure that children will be listened to and believed when they raise concerns."

Some believe the new unit will now be so inundated with historic claims that it won't cope. They include Alan Draper of

In Care Abuse Survivors (INCAS). He said: "We're pleased that it's getting off the ground. Our concern as a group is the resources they have been allocated. "