Police using more stop and search powers in crime fight
‘Section 60’ used in extreme circumstances, claims force
SPECIAL powers which allow police officers to search anyone without a reason have been enforced 11 times in the West Midlands in the last two years.
Police chiefs can sanction the use of Section 60 powers in extreme circumstances, normally after a serious crime has been committed, such as a shooting or stabbing connected to gang violence.
The powers, available to police forces under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, can only be used for a limited time and are normally introduced in an effort to calm tensions following violence, catch criminals who may be armed with weapons and to reassure the public who have witnessed serious crime on their doorstep.
It is a way police can demonstrate they are responding to violence or a crime spate by taking tough action – and that they are being seen to be doing so, which is also important.
Recent stabbings and shootings in Birmingham and the Black Country have led to the powers being enacted.
The use of stop and search in general, however, has proved controversial and divisive. Outside of the special Section 60 powers, there needs to be a suspicion of wrongdoing before officers search someone.
But stop and search disproportionately targets black people and police chiefs have come under fire over this.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Sir Dave Thompson has admitted the difference in the rate of black people being searched compared to those who are white is not good enough.
But police chiefs, while admitting it is not perfect,
have firmly defended stop and search and insist it is a crucial tool to help crack down on crime and make the public feel safe. It comes at a time chiefs are under pressure
to tackle knife crime and other serious offences, after we revealed last week violent crime had risen across the region.
Analysis has now revealed details of each time Section 60 powers were enforced since 2020 and the reasons why. Section 60 must be signed off by
a senior officer and the powers normally last for 24 hours, though they can be extended.
The powers have already been used five times by West Midlands Police in 2022, which could be an indication of escalating violence on our streets.