Commission welcomes Government’s stop and search reforms
1 May 2014 12:41 PM
Commenting in response to the
Government’s announcement of its package of reforms for police use of
stop and search powers, Mark Hammond, CEO of the Equality and Human Rights
Commission said:
“The Commission has for
some time been working successfully with police forces to make their use of
stop and search better targeted and more efficient, and to reduce unfair
targeting of black and ethnic minority people. We welcome the Home
Secretary’s proposed changes and improvements which are very much the
approach we have supported.
“Stop and search is an
important power. If it is used well, it can help the police protect the
public, reduce crime and disorder and improve relations with black and ethnic
minority communities. However, if it is misused, as it can be at the moment, it
wastes valuable time, police resources and damages community
relationships.
“We particularly welcome
the proposal to improve training on the use of stop and search and to reduce
potentially discriminatory stops. This is critical, and fits with the
Commission’s recommendations. We are already in discussions with the
National College of Policing to support their training on stop and search.
Ongoing scrutiny of stop and search by individual forces and Her
Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), is also important to
ensure the training is implemented and effective.
“We look forward to
working with the Home Office, police forces, HMIC and the College of Policing
to take these measures forward and help secure real change at force
level.”
Ends
For further information please
contact the media office on 0161 829 8102, out of hours 07767 272
818.
Notes to
editors
1. The
majority of stops and searches in England and Wales are
conducted
under the Police and Criminal
Evidence Act (PACE)
2. Race
Disproportionality in Stops and Searches 2011-12, Briefing paper 7 and
supporting data can be downloaded at -
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publications/our-research/briefing-papers/
3. Our
previous report Stop and Think is available at -
http://www.equalityhumanrights.co
m/key-projects/race-in-britain/stop-and-think/
4. Stop and
Think Again is available at
-http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/key-projects/race-in-britain/stop-and-think-
again