The UK risks being seen as a safe haven for criminals if Brexit means the end of the European Arrest Warrant scheme, Scotland's justice secretary has claimed.

Michael Matheson cited the initiative as one way that being part of Europe made the country safer.

He told MSPs Scotland's lord advocate James Wolffe is heading to Brussels for talks "to ensure that Scottish prosecution interests are protected".

As MSPs debated the impact of Brexit on justice and security in Scotland, Matheson said leaving the EU would "put at risk a range of cooperation... including police cooperation which assists in tackling organised crime."

The justice secretary said: "Serious and organised criminals take no account of borders. An ability to pursue individuals who commit serious crime effectively, apprehend and bring them before the courts is vital.

"It is also important for the protection of the Scottish public that Scotland, along with the rest of the UK, does not risk becoming viewed as a safe haven by those seeking to escape justice."

The lord advocate and his predecessor Frank Mulholland both spoke out in favour of the European Arrest Warrant scheme in 2013 when an opt-out was being considered, Mr Matheson said.

He added both the Crown Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland backed it.

While Prime Minister Theresa May also gave the scheme her support when she was home secretary, the justice secretary claimed there were politicians who "actively oppose" it within the UK Government.

He said: "We should be clear that if we leave the EU without putting successor arrangements in place the advantages of speed and streamlined process which the European Arrest Warrant provides - and which benefit all parties - will be lost."

Tory MSP Douglas Ross said since January 2011 a total of 48 people had been extradited to Scotland under the European Arrest Warrant scheme, with a further 367 people extradited from Scotland.

He told the chamber that home secretary Amber Rudd had confirmed the UK Government "will be having discussions on how to continue having some form of involvement within the agencies of the EU to help keep us safe".

Ross criticised the Scottish Government for having a debate on the issue, arguing: "We have had three statements on the EU referendum, we have had six debates in this chamber while we should be debating policing, while we should be debating the NHS.

"There has been a domination of the government time on Brexit issues and I think people in Scotland want the government to be focusing on the bread and butter issues, and getting that right, rather than trying to pick fights to fan the flames for their own separation agenda."

Matheson said: "Scotland voted as a whole to remain in the EU and we want to maintain both the benefits of continuing collaboration and co-operation between our justice system and other member states.

"I understand that the lord advocate will be in Brussels later this month to meet with EU justice stakeholders to ensure that Scottish prosecution interests are protected."

Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker called on the Scottish Government to carry out a review to determine the full impact leaving the EU would have on the Scottish justice system.

She warned Brexit would "threaten our security and weaken our justice system", adding: "We risk being isolated at a time when there is an even greater need for cooperation.

"The lack of detail and strategy from UK ministers can only raise anxieties of what the final impact would be.

"I don't want to be in the situation where we will be looking at emergency legislation or having to deal with unintended consequences as a result of this decision."