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Too little progress on stop and search, says police watchdog Too little progress on stop and search, says police watchdog
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Police forces have made too little progress on improving their use of stop and search powers, with too many officers lacking any understanding of their impact on the lives of young black people, an official watchdog has said.Police forces have made too little progress on improving their use of stop and search powers, with too many officers lacking any understanding of their impact on the lives of young black people, an official watchdog has said.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary said the findings of its report on progress since 2012 were disappointing as the wrong approach to stop and search could lead to resentment, anger and, in time, a loss of trust in the police.Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary said the findings of its report on progress since 2012 were disappointing as the wrong approach to stop and search could lead to resentment, anger and, in time, a loss of trust in the police.
The watchdog found in particular no official records of how powers are used to stop and search people in cars and vans, and it had to resort to a survey of 10,000 people for evidence of their impact.The watchdog found in particular no official records of how powers are used to stop and search people in cars and vans, and it had to resort to a survey of 10,000 people for evidence of their impact.
This found that black and minority ethnic drivers were more likely to be stopped, more likely not to be provided with a reason for the stop and more likely to have their vehicle stopped without good reason.This found that black and minority ethnic drivers were more likely to be stopped, more likely not to be provided with a reason for the stop and more likely to have their vehicle stopped without good reason.
The watchdog also found in their inspection a “surprising lack of interest” among senior police officers about the way strip-searches are carried out, in particular on children and other vulnerable people.The watchdog also found in their inspection a “surprising lack of interest” among senior police officers about the way strip-searches are carried out, in particular on children and other vulnerable people.
The inspectors say the lack of official records means they are not in a position to fully assure the public that the way these powers are used by the police is lawful, necessary and appropriate.The inspectors say the lack of official records means they are not in a position to fully assure the public that the way these powers are used by the police is lawful, necessary and appropriate.
An HMIC report in 2013 found that stop and search powers were rarely targeted at priority crimes in particular areas and there was little understanding of how the powers should be used more effectively to cut crime. The report added that record-keeping on stop and search was so poor that 27% of incidents did not include sufficient grounds to justify the lawful use of the power.An HMIC report in 2013 found that stop and search powers were rarely targeted at priority crimes in particular areas and there was little understanding of how the powers should be used more effectively to cut crime. The report added that record-keeping on stop and search was so poor that 27% of incidents did not include sufficient grounds to justify the lawful use of the power.
The latest HMIC report says good progress has been made on only one of the 10 recommendations the inspectors made in 2013, and that was in the use of technology to record street encounters between the police and those they stop. Many forces are now exploring the use of body-worn cameras to record encounters for review by supervisors.The latest HMIC report says good progress has been made on only one of the 10 recommendations the inspectors made in 2013, and that was in the use of technology to record street encounters between the police and those they stop. Many forces are now exploring the use of body-worn cameras to record encounters for review by supervisors.
Stephen Otter, of HMIC, said he was particularly disappointed that police leaders had not made more progress on finding out how it feels to be stopped and searched from those subjected to the use of the powers.Stephen Otter, of HMIC, said he was particularly disappointed that police leaders had not made more progress on finding out how it feels to be stopped and searched from those subjected to the use of the powers.
The home secretary, Theresa May, said she had commissioned the report to review whether forces were delivering meaningful reform to stop and search. “While the number of stops and searches has fallen by a third under this government, it is clear that police forces have failed to address many of the very serious issues raised by HMIC’s inspection in 2013,” she said.
“I have already introduced the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme to bring greater accountability to the use of these powers and revised the police and criminal evidence code A to make it clear what constitute reasonable grounds. But if the stops and searches do not continue to fall, if the use of these powers does not become more targeted, and stop-to-arrests ratios do not improve, then I will not hesitate to bring in primary legislation to make it happen.”
Ch Supt Gavin Thomas, vice-president of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, said the report showed that more progress was required.Ch Supt Gavin Thomas, vice-president of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, said the report showed that more progress was required.
“Stop and search is an important part of policing. It helps catch criminals, protect people from harm and provide reassurance to communities who are blighted by crime. But it is a power that must be used responsibly if we are to keep the confidence of the communities in which it is being used. This includes record-keeping, monitoring and scrutiny, so we can demonstrate that not only is it effective but that is being used proportionately,” Thomas said.“Stop and search is an important part of policing. It helps catch criminals, protect people from harm and provide reassurance to communities who are blighted by crime. But it is a power that must be used responsibly if we are to keep the confidence of the communities in which it is being used. This includes record-keeping, monitoring and scrutiny, so we can demonstrate that not only is it effective but that is being used proportionately,” Thomas said.
“The increasing use of technology and other good practice is encouraging. But we have to do more to show the value of stop and search to us as a service, and to show we understand the critical importance of using the powers given to us appropriately and fairly.”“The increasing use of technology and other good practice is encouraging. But we have to do more to show the value of stop and search to us as a service, and to show we understand the critical importance of using the powers given to us appropriately and fairly.”