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Cameron says search laws must go Cameron says search laws must go
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron says he would scrap "out of date" stop and search laws aimed at protecting black and Asian youths.David Cameron says he would scrap "out of date" stop and search laws aimed at protecting black and Asian youths.
The Tory leader said the laws - which say officers must have reasonable grounds to search someone - were brought in to combat police racism.The Tory leader said the laws - which say officers must have reasonable grounds to search someone - were brought in to combat police racism.
But Mr Cameron said that was no longer a problem - and now the rules were "getting in the way of protecting" ethnic communities from violent crime.But Mr Cameron said that was no longer a problem - and now the rules were "getting in the way of protecting" ethnic communities from violent crime.
It comes as the government plans to extend routine stop and search powers.It comes as the government plans to extend routine stop and search powers.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is due to make an announcement in Parliament in the next few days on the government's strategy to combat gun and knife crime.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is due to make an announcement in Parliament in the next few days on the government's strategy to combat gun and knife crime.
Young black and British Asian kids...are being stabbed and shot and the rules are getting in the way of protecting them David CameronConservative leaderYoung black and British Asian kids...are being stabbed and shot and the rules are getting in the way of protecting them David CameronConservative leader
The BBC understands she will promise to cut some of the red tape surrounding stop and search.The BBC understands she will promise to cut some of the red tape surrounding stop and search.
Currently officers who stop someone have to say why and fill out a form, a copy of which is handed to the suspect. Police say this prevents them from searching large numbers of suspects.Currently officers who stop someone have to say why and fill out a form, a copy of which is handed to the suspect. Police say this prevents them from searching large numbers of suspects.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty told Sky News the government was considering scrapping the police "stop form" which officers claim can take up to seven minutes to fill out.Home Office Minister Tony McNulty told Sky News the government was considering scrapping the police "stop form" which officers claim can take up to seven minutes to fill out.
Police 'racism'Police 'racism'
Ms Smith will also extend the use of routine stop and search where, in some circumstances, officers can search people without giving reasonable grounds for suspicion.Ms Smith will also extend the use of routine stop and search where, in some circumstances, officers can search people without giving reasonable grounds for suspicion.
HAVE YOUR SAYIf the police have no suspicion then why should they by allowed to stop and search people on a whim?Adrian Mugridge, ChesterSend us your comments
Both the government and the Conservatives believe local police commanders should be given more control over stop and search powers.Both the government and the Conservatives believe local police commanders should be given more control over stop and search powers.
Mr Cameron said rules saying officers must have "reasonable grounds" to suspect someone has committed a crime to search them - brought in to address concerns black and Asian suspects were being targeted by police - were "out of date".Mr Cameron said rules saying officers must have "reasonable grounds" to suspect someone has committed a crime to search them - brought in to address concerns black and Asian suspects were being targeted by police - were "out of date".
He told The Sun newspaper: "In the British police service there were problems with racism, there were problems with attitude. That needed to change. I think it has now been changed."He told The Sun newspaper: "In the British police service there were problems with racism, there were problems with attitude. That needed to change. I think it has now been changed."
ProtectionProtection
Mr Cameron said it was now possible for police to carry out stop and searches "without being accused of racism".Mr Cameron said it was now possible for police to carry out stop and searches "without being accused of racism".
He said a Conservative government would carry out a review of the best way to increase the number of suspects being searched and any changes would be implemented "rapidly".He said a Conservative government would carry out a review of the best way to increase the number of suspects being searched and any changes would be implemented "rapidly".
He said there was widespread support for more stop and search powers within ethnic minority communities.He said there was widespread support for more stop and search powers within ethnic minority communities.
"Stop and search rules were put in place to protect young black and Asian British kids."Stop and search rules were put in place to protect young black and Asian British kids.
"Now it's the young black and British Asian kids that are being stabbed and shot and the rules are getting in the way of protecting them.""Now it's the young black and British Asian kids that are being stabbed and shot and the rules are getting in the way of protecting them."
Crime 'hotspots'Crime 'hotspots'
He said a Conservative government would need to work out whether the rules on "reasonable suspicion" should be scrapped altogether or replaced with the "say-so of an inspector or sergeant or lower".He said a Conservative government would need to work out whether the rules on "reasonable suspicion" should be scrapped altogether or replaced with the "say-so of an inspector or sergeant or lower".
"But those current laws, be in no doubt, have to go.""But those current laws, be in no doubt, have to go."
He added: "This is not about race. It's about stopping crime and reducing the number of victims of crime.He added: "This is not about race. It's about stopping crime and reducing the number of victims of crime.
"The statistics are undeniable and it's clear by carrying out more stop and searches it is the black and Asian communities who will benefit most.""The statistics are undeniable and it's clear by carrying out more stop and searches it is the black and Asian communities who will benefit most."
The government has been trialling routine stop and search powers for police in so-called gun and knife "hotspots" but the powers could shortly be extended to other parts of the country.The government has been trialling routine stop and search powers for police in so-called gun and knife "hotspots" but the powers could shortly be extended to other parts of the country.