In case you missed it last night Thames Valley Police conducted a web based question and answer from 18.30 - 19.30 regarding their Stop and Search program.
Members of the public were invited to ask questions related to this program. The chat transcripts along with useful links are below.
18:39
Comment From Guest
Hi, what is the point of stop and search?
Hi there, thanks for your question. Stop and Search is a lawful tool that the police use to help prevent and detect crime and ensure the safety of the public. Here's an example of where a stop and search has proved successful recently:http://www.thamesvalley.pol
18:42
Comment From Brad
How exactly do you decide who to search, surely the whole thing is flawed if its "random" because the officers individual emotions and bias will play a role in deciding?
Hi, thanks for the question. Stop and searches are never random - officers must have reasonable grounds to suspect the person has something in their possession that links them to a criminal offence. The only exception is in the unusual circumstances that a senior police officer believes violence will occur and search powers will prevent people getting hurt. This authority has only been used once in the last 12 months in Thames Valley, so it is rare. Thanks.
18:44
Comment From Guest
But isn't stop and search dependent on a form of racial profiling?
Hi there. No, it must be based on intelligence and information that indicates a person is in possession of something that links them to a criminal offence. It should never be exercised on any form of racial profiling.
18:47
Comment From Pankaj
Understand what circumstances can a police officer stop and search a public. What rights do public have to deny it?
HI, thanks for your question. Stop and search helps officers when investigating an offence. Just because somebody is searched doesn't mean they're being accused of a crime; it is used to confirm or allay suspicion of someone's involvement in an offence. You are detained while the officer carries out the search which means that you can’t leave. There's more information you might find useful on the Thames Valley Police website http://www.thamesvalley.pol
18:49
Comment From Guest
Stop search is reported as being a valuable tool by all police representatives when they make public comment. Yet the Home Secretary seems to disagree.
Hi there. The Police do feel it's a valuable tool; the Home Secretary is just very keen to make sure it's used effectively, and in the right circumstances; a view that we would endorse and echo.
18:50
Comment From Guest
I pressed send to early! What stats do you have to support stop and search?
We collect a lot of data on stop and search - is there anything more specific you would like us to share? Our web page has some more recent stats on there that you might find interesting http://www.thamesvalley.pol
18:52
Comment From Derek
Does your force comply with government recommendation to 'GeoTag' stop and search locations and collate data? If so how do you collect this data?
Hi, thanks for the question. Later this year we will be publishing data with geo-tagged stop and search with Police.uk. We will be collecting this data later in the year using our mobile phone app.
18:54
Comment From Pankaj
Can a member of public deny to stop and search being carried out on them without a warrant?
Hi Pankaj - where reasonable grounds exist, officers have a power to detain people in order to carry out a search, and a warrant is not required to do this.
19:00
Comment From Guest
How do you respond to reports indicating that ethnic minorities are up to 3 times more likely to stop and searched than their white counterparts?
Hello. We are aware of the levels of disproportionality. We are working hard to ensure that the reasons that stop and searches are carried out are closely supervised. Every stop and search is supervised by a more senior officer, and disproportionality is monitored and scrutinised by an independent advisory group who hold us to account. You can find out more about the independent advisory group, and even join them, here: http://www.thamesvalley.pol
19:03
Comment From Guest
What if the office tries the old "I smell cannabis" even though you know that's impossible and it can't be smelt do you have any right in that situation to challenge the officer and deny the search? (I'm not saying anyone in TVP would do this, just a what if scenario)
Hi there thanks for the questions. Our officers are advised that the smell of cannabis alone is not sufficient grounds for a stop and search. If you have any feedback on stop and searches in Thames Valley, let us know by replying to our Chief Constable. See the contact info on this page: http://www.thamesvalley.pol
19:07
Comment From Concerned, oxford
I used to get searched quite a lot. I don't break the law or carry illegal items so never had an issue with it. I was just in rough areas at strange times of the day. It was reassuring that Police were searching people. However I haven't been stopped in a couple of years now. Same places, same times. Are the police searching less now. Concerns me what people are getting away with due to less searches
Hi, thanks for your comment - that's good to know. From what you've said here, it sounds like you might have been searched when reasonable grounds weren't there. We've invested in considerable training and guidance to our staff to ensure that they search appropriately. Across Thames Valley, we've seen the percentage of stop and searches fall by 36 per cent, and our outcomes have risen to 22 per cent. So, you're right - we're conducting less searches but being more effective when we carry them out.
19:10
Comment From Bob
Perhaps you could give an example from start to finish of a typical incident officers would be deployed to where they might use stop and search
Hi Bob. Sometimes we get calls from members of the public who have seen people 'acting suspiciously' - our example here is someone walking in the street, looking through car windows and tampering with the vehicles. An officer may suspect the person is going to break into a vehicle, and may be in possession of an instrument that will help them to do this. Should the officers arrive at the incident and see people that match the description we've been given, this may constitute reasonable grounds to search them.
19:12
Comment From CuriousGeorge
Does declaring a suspect item before the search add merit to any case possibly bought upon the person being searched?
Hi CuriousGeorge. We would always welcome cooperation from the public. We are impartial and are not here to sit in judgement - this would be a matter for any court to decide upon.
19:17
There's been some really good questions so far - thanks to everyone who's taking part. Keep them coming! If you're interested in stop and search policy and practice, you can take part in a consultation that's being conducted by the College of Policing https://www.app.college.pol
19:22
Comment From Claire
If my child has been searched, shouldn't the police tell me?
Hi Claire, thanks for the question. The police are not required to advise parents when their child is searched however, if as a result of the event an officer is concerned for a child's welfare, they may speak to the child's parents or a safeguarding agency.
19:26
Comment From Sara
Is there a minimum age limit for stop and searches? Does an appropriate adult have to be there?
Hi Sara. There isn't a minimum age limit for stop and searches, it's based on reasonable grounds. However, we're mindful of the impact the use of police powers can have on children and we take a closer look, as do our independent advisory group, when powers are used on children and young people. An appropriate adult does not have to be present when these powers are used.
19:31
That's our hour up - thanks for the questions, we'll be back again to take your questions on stop and search soon. We hope you found this useful, and if you have any questions or feedback onm stop and search in the meantime, contact our Chief Constable - you can find contact details on this webpage: http://www.thamesvalley.pol
You can follow Thames Valley Police on twitter @ThamesVP or visit their website here www.thamesvalley.police.uk/aboutus-sop-stsea
