‘A lost opportunity’ – MPA critical of decision not to pilot recording of police stops across London

113/02
7 November 2002

The Home Office decision to ignore the Metropolitan Police Authority’s call for a London-wide pilot of recording all police stops was today branded “a lost opportunity” by Toby Harris, MPA Chair.

He said:

“The announcement restricting the London pilot of Recommendation 61 of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report to just one borough is a lost opportunity to reassure our minority ethnic communities.

“On the day when new government statistics show that black and Asian people are eight times more likely to be stopped by police than whites, it is not surprising that our minority ethnic communities are concerned that they are disproportionately targeted when police stop and search someone on the streets. They believe they are the victims of racist stereotyping.

“Last month, I urged the Home Office to introduce a pilot for the whole of London and test technological solutions to prevent unnecessary extra paperwork. This would have sent out a powerful message to our black and Asian communities that we had listened to their concerns and were prepared to vigorously test the effectiveness of Recommendation 61 across all of London.

“Instead, today’s announcement may appear to some like a half-hearted trial run concentrated on one area with a specific set of problems that doesn’t properly reflect London’s diversity.

“This could lead to conclusions being reached that do not truly reflect the range of issues raised by the use of this emotive police power – such as accurate recording and monitoring, ethnic classification of suspects, and intelligence-led versus random use of the powers.

“We need to ensure that police use of this very important tool is fair and transparent. It is in everyone’s interests - police and public alike - to be clear about what happens when a police officer stops a person in the street. “

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