Theresa May boosts police stop-and-search powers in bid to fight rising knife crime
2 min read
Theresa May has unveiled plans to make it easier for police forces to carry out stop-and-search checks on people they suspect to be carrying a knife.
The Prime Minister said at least 3,000 more officers will be able to use “enhanced stop and search powers” under the latest overhaul.
Furthermore they will find it "simpler" to search people in an area where serious violence is anticipated, regardless of whether there are "reasonable grounds for suspicion" about an individual.
The authorising officer will be able to act on the basis that a flare up “may” occur, rather than being bound to expect it “will” occur.
The move marks a change of tack from Mrs May, who as Home Secretary, tightened the rules around the tactic after it was found that black people were disproportionately targeted.
Ministers said relaxing powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act should be enacted on the back of community engagement and insisted that “nobody should be stopped on the basis of their race or ethnicity”.
It comes amid rising knife-related violence across Britain and follows recent meetings between Home Secretary Sajid Javid and police leaders on the scourge earlier this month.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick welcomed the changes, saying that stop and search was “an extremely important power for the police” and “undoubtedly a part of our increasing results suppressing levels of violence and knife crime”.
The pilot will be carried out in seven of the hardest affected areas by knife violence in the country for up to a year.
West Midlands, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Wales and Greater Manchester forces, as well as London, are involved.
The Prime Minister, who yesterday held a summit on serious youth violence in Downing Street, said: “These changes will support police officers tackling serious violence in the worst affected areas.
“Stop and search powers are an important tool in the fight against knife crime, and we will continue to drive tough law enforcement to protect the public.
“As a whole society we also need to take a hard look at the root causes of these crimes so we can intervene earlier and stop young people from being drawn into violence in the first place.”
Mr Javid added: “The police are on the front line in the battle against serious violence and it’s vital we give them the right tools to do their jobs.
“Stop and search is a hugely effective power when it comes to disrupting crime, taking weapons of our streets and keeping us safe.”
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