What is the history of stop and search?
Stop and search first came to national prominence with the Brixton riots. In 1981, police launched Operation Swamp in an attempt to deal with south London street crime. Officers used so-called “sus” laws to search large numbers of young black men in Brixton. The resentment proved too much and led to rioting.
When did stop and search start in the UK?
In England and Wales, the sus law (from “suspected person”) was a stop and search law that permitted a police officer to stop, search and potentially arrest people on suspicion of them being in breach of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824.
What is a Section 18 search?
Section 18 envisages two types of search: (a) where the person is in police detention at a police station and the police decide to search his premises; (b) where the person is arrested away from a police station and the police wish to search the premises before taking him to the station.
What is a Section 32 search?
32 Search upon arrest. (1)A constable may search an arrested person, in any case where the person to be searched has been arrested at a place other than a police station, if the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others.
Why is stop and search important?
Stop and search can play an important role in the detection and prevention of crime and using the powers fairly makes them more effective. The lawful and proportionate use of stop and search by officers, in line with procedural justice, should help to maintain public trust, police legitimacy and policing by consent.
Why is discretion important in stop and search?
It has long been recognised that discretion is vital to good police work. In a bid to counteract the discretionary practices that are seen to be linked to racist stops and searches, police officers are required (in stops and searches under section 1 of the PACE code A) to have ‘reasonable grounds for suspicion’.
Can police ask for ID UK?
An officer does not need a reason to stop a person driving, or attempting to drive, for a routine check. They can then ask you to provide your name, date of birth, driving license, insurance certificate or MOT certificate.
What is a Section 1 search?
Background. Power – under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE 1984) – a constable can stop and search any person or vehicle. Use – the constable MUST have reasonable suspicion that they will find something, to use this power.
What is a Section 16?
16 Execution of warrants. E+W. (1)A warrant to enter and search premises may be executed by any constable. (2)Such a warrant may authorise persons to accompany any constable who is executing it.
What is a Section 17 search?
Section 17 provides a wide-ranging power to enter and search premises without a warrant in order to arrest persons or to save life, limb or property.
What is a police section 19?
19 General power of seizure etc. (1)The powers conferred by subsections (2), (3) and (4) below are exercisable by a constable who is lawfully on any premises. (2)The constable may seize anything which is on the premises if he has reasonable grounds for believing—
How does stop and search affect communities?
The unjust use of stop and search causes innocent people to feel targeted and victimised by the police based on their ethnicity. In the long term, it eradicates trust and confidence in the police and alienates entire communities. Knife crime and violence are complex problems that require an evidence-informed approach.