Home Secretary Priti Patel has lifted restrictions on police stop and search powers (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
(Picture: PA Archive)Home Secretary Priti Patel is easing restrictions on when police can employ controversial stop and search tactics to take weapons off the streets.
“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,” Ms Patel said.
Under the new measures, police can stop people without suspicion in areas where it is deemed serious violence “may” occur – as opposed to existing measures being used only when violence “will” occur.
While ridding the streets of weapons is obviously a desirable outcome, critics argue the ends do not justify the means. Figures show more than 99% of people searched do not have weapons.
Alarmingly, white people are far less likely to be stopped by police officers than minority ethnic groups. The latest available figures, for the year up to March 2020, show 54 out of every 1,000 black people were stopped and searched, compared to just six in 1,000 white people – 9 times as many.
Not least in the post-Black Lives Matter world, there are concerns of discrimination and damaging trust.
However, the Home Secretary is undeterred: “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.”
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