Restore police powers

When Theresa May as home secretary announced plans to reform police stopand-search powers in May 2014, the move was widely welcomed. MPS shared her concern that the disproportionate use of the measure against black youngsters was harming community relationships.

As a consequence the police began to use the powers less, especially in areas with large black populations since they accounted for most of the imbalance. However, many of these areas also suffered from a large amount of crime, especially gang-related violence. While cause and effect cannot be demonstrated, the fact remains that, in the years since the policy was introduced, the number of knife killings has grown to record levels in London and other cities. Now the policy is to be reversed in response to the spate of murders mainly of young black men. Is there to be any acknowledgement that it was mistaken?

The job of the police is to keep order and protect law-abiding citizens from harm. Of course stop and search should be used lawfully when there is “reasonable suspicion” of criminality, and Section 60 powers – which can be used in emergencies without suspicion – must be deployed sparingly. Nonetheless, the powers are there to protect the vulnerable, not to reinforce a police state. Too many campaigners fail to see the difference, and it is unfortunate that a Conservative home secretary bought into their arguments.

The PM is today chairing a summit in Downing Street, and the Government is preparing to impose a legal duty on police to prevent knife crime. This is window-dressing. Just give them the powers and let them use them.