- Controversy and Disproportionate Impact
- Government Support for Increased Stop and Search
- Home Secretary’s Proposals and Response
The use of these powers has proven controversial, with critics claiming that it targets black and ethnic minority communities disproportionately. However, the Home Office asserts that “prevention and public safety” must be the government’s “priority.”
Suella Braverman has urged police commanders to use stop and search powers more frequently to “seize dangerous weapons and prevent more knife crime attacks”
The home secretary’s letter to 43 chief constables does not directly affect police behaviour.
The most recent intervention, however, indicates that the Home Office wants more officers to utilize the controversial powers.
The practice of stop and search has been criticized, particularly about the proportion of black men and boys, with one research paper characterizing it as a “rite of passage” for black boys.
According to government statistics, blacks are seven times more likely to be stopped and searched than whites.
In addition, advocacy groups have previously warned that loosening restrictions on police use of authority could exacerbate discrimination.
Priority must be given first to prevention and public safety.
Ms. Braverman, however, “gives her full support” to the policing method, with the Home Office noting that 99 young people perished from knife crime in the year leading up to March 2022, 31 of whom were black.
A Home Office spokeswoman said, “Black men are disproportionately more likely to be killed by violence and knife crime.”
The government knows that black men are more likely to be detained and searched, but public safety comes first.
Since 2019, the Home Office has seized approximately 50,000 guns during stops and searches, resulting in over 220,000 arrests.
Ms. Braverman also desires that officers “arrest and investigate” those who “illegally” obstruct officers from halting and searching a person.
The home secretary is also advocating for the expedited release of body-worn camera footage captured by police officers. She hopes that “by telling the whole story quickly. Innocent police officers will not be judged on social media for their actions.”
Ms. Braverman stated, Weapons possession is a plague on our society. And those who do so endanger their own lives as well as the lives of others. This harmful culture must be eliminated.
“Public safety is my top priority, and those who insist on carrying a weapon must be aware that there will be consequences.”
She added, “The police have my full backing to increase the use of stop and search wherever necessary to prevent violence and save more lives.”
“Every knife-related homicide is a calamity. Deshalb, I support the police in their fight against this disease in areas like young black boys. We must do everything possible to put an end to this violence.”
To “strengthen trust between the police and local communities,” the home secretary also updated the safeguards in place for stop-and-search procedures.
The government plans to make police “communicate” when implementing Section 60 instructions. Which make it simpler to stop and search in specific areas unless doing so would “impede a sensitive situation.”
And information regarding each interaction must be compiled, transmitted to the Home Office, and made public.
Labor asserts that Braverman is ‘hunting headlines’
Yvette Cooper, Labour’s shadow home secretary, accused the home secretary of “chasing headlines” rather than addressing knife crime.
She stated, “After 13 years of Conservative rule, knife crime has skyrocketed, with the greatest increases in the suburbs and counties, destroying lives and destroying families.”
“Yet, instead of a serious government plan to reduce knife crime, the home secretary is writing more letters to the police and chasing headlines.”
Knife crime has increased across all communities as a result of the Conservatives’ decimation of neighborhood policing, cuts to youth prevention work, absence of an effective serious violence strategy, and inaction on organized crime.
