Your views on stop & search...?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by British Transport Police on February 2, 2012 at 20:00

Hi Seema

 

I'd be interested to hear how your views have been changed recently.  This is of course a major issue for police and public alike.

 

Regards

 

Matthew

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Permalink Reply by Seema Chandwani on February 2, 2012 at 21:53

Hi Matthew

I was recent attacked in Wood Green, 2pm in afternoon, Nothing serious, about 15-20secs, sore face & the loss of my iPhone (losing my iPhone hurt the most if Im going to be superficially honest!)

Anyway, Police were great, attended the scene and I went in the Q-Car around the area looking.... my description was [wait for it] ....... "Hooded jacket; Covered face with dark scarf; black jeans" I sort of described about 10,000 of the 19,100 teenagers in Haringey!!

I been working with teens most my adult life (Shush... its been 15yrs I feel old) and have never been 'personally' attacked, by that I mean in my job I encounter violent/agressive situations but there are colleagues; protocols; higher alertness & readiness, in work you are also more likely to know the young person who is agressive and have defusion strategies. This attack however was random, not contextualised and in my personal space/time. However, through my work I have been aware of young peoples feelings towards stop & search

After my incident, I could kind of see how my description could have lead to many young people being stopped, as they did "fit my description", admittingly my description was useless.

Anyway, since I made this post Ive concluded its "how" the S&S is done, that makes it a damaging tool. Stats show only a 3% direct arrest rate from S&S and a lot more damage to the community. I am still in two minds as I cant think of an alternative - but whatever the alternative, it will boil down to how its done.

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by British Transport Police on February 7, 2012 at 14:21

Many very good points there.  I'm being cautious as to my response due to the tricky nature of the subject.  I agree that in many ways the manner in which the stop and/or search is done is key, but then it is in everything we do.  Unfortunately some of those who are stopped and searched have been subjected to it before and already have a negative view of it.  All we can do is try to act in a professional, positive manner and improve people's views of it.  There are necessary restrictions on the use of stop and search to stop it being abused.

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