Report of Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel

Report: 8
Date: 27 May 2004
By: Clerk

Summary

This report presents the final report of the MPA's Scrutiny Panel on stop and search practice. It proposes that members accept the report and its recommendations and that an action plan be developed for report back to the Authority in September. The scrutiny panel report has been sent to all members of the Authority. It is available on the MPA’s website and copies will be available at the meeting.

A. Recommendation

1. That members accept the recommendations of the final report; and
2. That an action plan be developed for report to the Authority in September.

B. Supporting information

1. In November 2002, the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board (EODB) recommended to the Authority that it carry out a scrutiny into stop and search. This was agreed by the MPA Coordination and Policing Committee and at its meeting of 9 January 2003, the EODB adopted the proposals made to proceed with a formal policy review and scrutiny of the MPS performance and practice in stop and search. Cecile Wright was appointed chair of the Scrutiny Panel, Lynne Featherstone as vice-chair, and MPA members R. David Muir, Peter Herbert and Eric Ollerenshaw. Community members comprised Althea Smith (Chair of Southwark Community and Police Community Consultative Group), Reverend Nims Obunge (The Peace Alliance), Brian McCarthy (Action Group for Irish Youth) and John Grieve (Former Director of the MPS Diversity Directorate).

2. The task of the Scrutiny Panel was to focus on five particular aspects of stop and search. These were:

• To assess the impact of race
• To assess what use is made of stop and search data
• To identify the cost effectiveness of stop and search
• Good practice models
• To assess the issue of Black criminality

3. The primary method used by the Scrutiny Panel was through evidence hearing sessions. Twelve such sessions were held between June 2003 and January 2004. Each session was of 3 hours duration with either groups or Individual giving evidence to the Panel at each session. These included representatives from all levels of the MPS, from the Deputy Commissioner to frontline beat officers. They also included witnesses from the Mayor’s office, the Home Office, NACRO, the CRE, and from academia. Most importantly, witnesses included a range of representatives from a variety of community and voluntary organisations and community groups.

4. In addition to the hearing sessions, desk research was undertaken to review the existing research, studies and reports on the issues being explored. Over three hundred individuals and organisations were contacted and invited to participate and provide written submissions. The Panel, following extensive newspaper advertisements publicising the meeting and the details of the Scrutiny also held a public meeting in Brixton.

5. The report presents the overall findings of the scrutiny and its recommendations. It provides a brief overview of the legislation relating to stop and search powers. Secondly it presents a summary of the existing statistical evidence of disproportionality in stop and search rates based on race and ethnicity. Thirdly, the report explores some of the underlying factors that might support and reinforce disproportionality in stop and search rates. Finally, this report makes recommendations, based on the evidence the Panel received on ways in which the Scrutiny Panel considers stop and search practice can move forward. These fall into nine groups;

• leadership and reaffirmation of organisational commitment
• attention to statutory authority
• organisational and management systems within the MPS
• data collection and intelligence-based policing
• supervision and monitoring
• training and accreditation
• complaints process
• public awareness of stop and search powers and the rights of the individual
• community engagement in the application of stop and search

6. The report is due to be considered by the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board on 20 May. At this stage it is suggested that the Authority receives the report and accepts its recommendations. No doubt members will wish to reflect on the detailed evidence and findings of the report, so may feel that the substantive debate should await the presentation of an action plan in September.

C. Race and equality impact

The MPA and MPS have both highlighted in their Race Equality Schemes that stop and search was a key policy that would be assessed for adverse impact under the general duty of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The Act requires that steps be taken to address such impact where it was identified. The MPA regards the Scrutiny report as its full and detailed impact assessment. It makes proposals for ways in which the MPS should address the adverse impact that the use of the power continues to have especially on young BME males.

The Implementation of the recommendations arising from the report is expected to address the police approach to stop and search as well as the level of disproportionality rates based on race and ethnicity. The implementation of the recommendations should contribute significantly to restoring the level of trust and confidence in the police by all members of London’s diverse communities.

Finally, the report should help in ensuring that all Londoners are treated equally and fairly by police officers.

Under the specific duty of the Act, the report will be published and made available on the MPA website. Additionally, it will be published in different community languages and in be available in different language formats so that these can be made available where requested.

The action plan arising from the report will clearly outline the monitoring arrangements that will be put in place for ensuring that all the recommendations are progressed by the MPS and the other agencies and organisations to which they have been addressed.

D. Financial implications

There are no direct financial implications arising from this report

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Tim Rees, Head of Community Engagement, MPA.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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