Harris heralds new start on Stop and Search

37/01
13 June 2001

The Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Toby Harris today told the London Assembly that young black Londoners are still four times as likely to be stopped and searched by the police as the average citizen.  Lord Harris said that the Met was in the process of redefining the way that stops and searches were carried out and this would lead to both a fairer use of this tactic and more efficient use of police time.

Lord Harris said:

"The Metropolitan Police Authority has consulted with pan London and local groups and other organisations, representing significant communities, on the feasibility and desirability of whether a record should be made by police officers of all 'stops' and 'stops and searches'.  This exercise has been a step change in the extent of the MPA's engagement with London's diverse communities."

Assembly Deputy Chair, Trevor Philips, who raised the issue said:

"I welcome Lord Harris' answer. London's black communities have waited too long for action to end the racial bias in the use of stop and search.  The Metropolitan Police Authority's leadership offers a light at the end of this particular tunnel, for the first time the two decades".

Notes to editors

The Metropolitan Police Authority took over responsibility for the Metropolitan Police Service from the Home Secretary on 3 July 2000.

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