Communities have a say on stop and search powers

Communities have a say on stop and search powers

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd is calling on local people to help shape how police use stop and search across Greater Manchester.

Mr Lloyd has launched an online survey to find out people’s views on stop and search, if they think GMP use the power fairly and the best way to gauge how stop and search is helping prevent crime. He is also talking to communities across Greater Manchester, including young people and black and minority ethnic communities, to find out about their experiences of being stopped by police.

It follows the launch of a national review of stop and search, announced by the Home Office at the beginning of July, that will look at whether stop and search is used appropriately and fairly, and how it can be better targeted and more intelligence-led. 

Mr Lloyd said: “There is definitely a place for stop and search in tackling crime, but we do need to make sure it’s used properly and fairly if we are to build confidence between police and our communities, particular our more hard-to-reach communities. That’s why I need to hear from local people about their experience of stop and search, whether they feel GMP officers use it fairly and in the right place at the right time, and how they think police can use the power in a more targeted way.”

GMP has already made steps to improve the way they use stop and search and, in December, rolled out a new recording procedure. Officers now record an encounter via their radio, instead of filling out a long form. The changes mean that stop and search data is more immediately available and can be better monitored and scrutinised.

“There is still some way to go so the public can be confident that stop and search isn’t being abused and the views of local people are vital in helping to shape how it is used going forward,” adds Mr Lloyd.

“That’s why I am encouraging people to take part in the survey and have a say in how their communities are policed, because without the public on board neighbourhood policing just doesn’t work.”

People who take part in the survey will help shape Mr Lloyd's response to the Home Office consultation.

To take part in the survey go to www.gmpcc.org.uk/stopsearch.

The survey closes on Monday 5 August 2013.