MPA goes back to school

44/01
4 July 2001

Metropolitan Police Authority Members and local police officers will visit Bishop Thomas Grant School in Streatham on Friday 13 July to discuss the MPA's campaign 'stop and search: know your rights' with students at the school.

This will mark the launch of the MPA's campaign to inform the public of their rights when stopped and searched by the police. It is part of a national campaign requested by the Home Office to all police authorities to consult with the public as suggested by Recommendation 63 of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report.

Nearly 42,000 youths aged between 14 and 17 years were searched in London last year, with 19.3 per cent of these searches resulting in an arrest. The increase in numbers of young people on the streets during summer holidays could mean an increase in the number of youths affected by stop and searches.

Jennette Arnold, member of the MPA who will chair the July 13 event, said:

"A large number of London's young people will be affected by stop and search procedures this summer. I hope that by giving them knowledge of their rights, their experience of stop and search will be a positive one."

The 'know your rights' campaign is about helping people understand their rights and responsibilities when stopped and searched. It is hoped that if people know their rights, what to expect, and why they are being stopped and searched, they will be reassured that these powers cannot be used to discriminate against individuals.

The British Crime Survey shows that minority ethnic groups have lower levels of confidence in their local police. This is particularly affected by stop and search and figures show that those who have been stopped and searched rated the police less favourably.

Ms Arnold said:

"An increase earlier this year in street crime involving the use of sharp instruments shows how important stop and search is - to protect our youth from becoming victims, or perpetrators of violent crime. We know that, particularly amongst people from ethnic minorities, perceptions of misuse of this power are strong in London. This has to change. We hope that greater awareness will reassure those most affected, and encourage officers to think carefully about how and why they conduct each search."

Publicity materials, available in 22 languages, including braille, describe why, where, how and when a search should be conducted. They are being distributed through police stations, youth offending teams, schools, community and police consultative groups, and a range of community and voluntary organisations. They will also be available through Citizen's Advice Bureaus and libraries.

Notes to editors

Recommendation 63 of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report said that:

"Police authorities be given the duty to undertake publicity campaigns to ensure that the public is aware of stop and search provisions and their right to receive a record".

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