Police told to ramp up stop and search using their ‘full powers’ to take weapons off the streets
19 June 2023, 12:27
Police have been urged to increase the use of stop and search powers to stop the ‘scourge’ of weapons on the streets.
The Home Secretary wants officers to have the ‘confidence’ to be able to use the controversial tactic to prevent knife attacks.
In a statement to all 43 forces in England and Wales, Suella Braverman said officers who use the powers have her ‘full support.’
Critics say the tactic disproportionately targets black and ethnic communities.
She also wants police to arrest people and investigate instances where they unlawfully obstruct a ‘stop and search’ in progress.
She says police should release body-worn footage more quickly, so as to stop videos of people being arrested going viral on social media.
In remarks that appear to be aimed at addressing anticipated criticism, Braverman said young black males were disproportionately affected by knife crime.
Her statement says: “Carrying weapons is a scourge on our society, and anyone doing so is risking their own lives as well as the lives of those around them. This dangerous culture must be brought to a stop.
“My first priority is to keep the public safe, and people who insist on carrying a weapon must know that there will be consequences. The police have my full support to ramp up the use of stop and search, wherever necessary, to prevent violence and save more lives.
“Every death from knife crime is a tragedy. That’s why I also back the police in tackling this blight in communities which are disproportionately affected, such as among young black males. We need to do everything in our power to crack down on this violence.”
The Home Office released statistics that say last year to March 2022, 99 young people lost their lives to knife crime in England and Wales, and 31 of those victims were black.
It argued that therefore black males are, therefore, disproportionately more likely to be killed by violence and knife crime.
The government said it ‘recognises’ the disproportionality in stop and search, saying black males are more likely to be targeted, but added “our first priority must be on prevention and public safety. “
