Stop and search changes welcomed by commissioner – but must be used fairly

The Home Secretary announced that she is permanently lifting restrictions placed on police in the use of stop-and-search powers as part of the Government's strategy to tackle violent crime.

In a letter to police forces on Monday, Priti Patel confirmed the easing of conditions on the use of the tactics under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

Section 60 powers give officers the right to search people without reasonable grounds in an area when they expect serious violence, and to look for weapons before they can be used, or those used in a recent attack.

The move effectively undoes limitations put in place in 2014 by then-home secretary Theresa May.

The wider use of stop and search is controversial because of concerns that it disproportionately affects black and minority ethnic communities, with campaign groups previously warning that relaxing the restrictions could compound discrimination in the UK.

The now-permanent changes extend the length of time the powers can be in force from 15 to 24 hours.

The period a Section 60 can be extended to is now 48 hours, whereas it was previously limited to 39 hours.

The rank at which officers are able to authorise the deployment of stop and search has been lowered from senior officer to inspector, while a superintendent can now extend the authorisation.

Authorising officers now only need to anticipate that serious violence "may" occur rather than "will" occur, and no longer need to publicly communicate authorisations to communities in advance.

West Mercia's Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion, said the powers would help protect people – but that they must be used fairly.

He said: "Our communities should be able to trust their police force to make best use of the powers and tools available to them to keep them safe.

"Stop and Search is one of these tools which when used effectively, can prevent serious harm.

"Whilst I welcome the potential for an increase in the capabilities officers will have, this comes with a responsibility to ensure Stop and Search is used sensibly, fairly and for the benefit of all of our communities."

West Mercia Police's Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Jones said: “Stop and search is an effective tool in helping to prevent serious violence and harm and in West Mercia we know the majority of our communities trust us to use stop and search fairly and respectfully.

“It is crucial our use of stop and search is continually scrutinised to ensure it is intelligence led and being used appropriately; we will continue to work with our independent advisory groups around its use to ensure this.

“We note the changes that have been announced, however, it is important to recognise that our use of section 60 is incredibly rare and only used if absolutely necessary.”

In her letter Ms Patel said: "The devastating impact of knife crime on families who have lost their loved one is unbearable. No one should have to endure the pain and suffering of the victims of these appalling crimes and we have a responsibility to them to do everything in our power to prevent future tragedies."

She said the use of stop and search has increased by around 85 per cent since 2019 and has contributed to some 50,000 weapons being taken off the streets.

"I stand wholeheartedly behind the police so that they can build on their work to drive down knife crime by making it easier for officers to use these powers to seize more weapons, arrest more suspects and save more lives," the Home Secretary continued.

The move coincides with the launch of Operation Sceptre, described as a week of "intensive action" by police forces in England and Wales to tackle knife crime – including West Mercia.

The Government has also launched a consultation to make it easier for officers to search known knife carriers.

It comes after the introduction of Serious Violence Reduction Orders under the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act passed last month, which are intended to make such checks easier.

The Home Office rolled back restrictions on the Section 60 tactics in 2019 as part of a bid to crack down on knife crime.

A recent report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog urged an overhaul of the use of stop-and-search powers to tackle the disproportionate impact the measures have on ethnic minority groups.

In the year to March 2021, black people were seven times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, while Asian people were two-and-a-half times more likely.

The report included one case study of a black boy who was searched more than 60 times between the ages of 14 and 16, sometimes more than once in the same day.

Labour's shadow policing minister Sarah Jones said: "This is a rehashed announcement rather than a new plan to tackle violent crime.

"The police were already given these wider powers in 2019.

"Under this Government, knife crime recorded by the police has returned to pre-pandemic levels, 7,000 police have been cut from neighbourhood teams, and the charge rate for violent offences has more than halved in the last five years.

"Stop and search is an important police tool for tackling knife crime but it must always be based on evidence and used proportionately."