WIREDGOV

We have responded to the Home Office consultation about extending the use of stop and search powers to address the criminal misuse of unmanned aircraft (drones), laser pointers and corrosive substances.

We have responded to this consultation because police powers to stop and search individuals can have a significant impact (positive and negative) on public confidence in policing. We therefore believe that it is not enough for the exercise of stop and search powers to simply be within the law. When they are used by the police to search a person or vehicle, they should be used in a way that is demonstrably fair and effective.

Our response highlights the need to ensure that the proposed new powers are used fairly and lawfully, it is vital that the authorised professional practice (APP) is updated to include the extended stop and search powers relating to unmanned aircraft (drones), laser pointers and corrosive substances.

Likewise, all training packages, including e-learning packages, must be updated to include these new powers, ensuring that all relevant guidance is brought together in a single place where it is easily accessible to both police officers and the public.

To enable better scrutiny and benchmarking, we would like increased use of formal and informal mechanisms to publish and share data relating to the use of stop and search powers nationally and locally. Such data would help identify whether the new powers are being used lawfully, fairly and effectively.