Police Encounters
PC Errol Patterson from the Metropolitan Police Service explains to students why stop and search procedures are so important in the fight against crime.
March 2009
A Stop and Search Question Time at Lambeth College
If you were to be stopped in the street and searched by Police Officers would you know what your rights are? Would you know what is legal and what is illegal? And, would you understand why you are being stopped in the first place?
For many young people in London a stop and search is a possibility, which could result in confusion and a very unpleasant and negative experience.
Due to a recent incident which occurred outside of Lambeth College’s Vauxhall Centre (a student was stopped and was unsure how to respond) the Metropolitan Police Service and Lambeth College teamed up to provide an opportunity for students to quiz officers about their use of stop and search. The aim of the ‘Police Encounters’ event was to educate students about the Police’s powers and to inform them of their rights and responsibilities. A panel made up of Police Officers and College Managers answered a number of concerns raised by a packed audience in our Vauxhall Hub.
PC Errol Patterson, African-Caribbean Community Liaison Officer, told the students: “When you are stopped by the Police it doesn’t mean you are under arrest. Most of the time we are simply trying to eliminate suspects from a crime which has occurred in the area where you have been stopped. The searches are carried out in a public place, as we have nothing to hide. Two officers, to keep themselves and the public safe, carry out the searches. One officer will do the talking and searching while the second officer acts as a cover officer. It is his or her role to watch what is actually going on, reading the body language of the person being stopped and ensure the search is thoroughly carried out, ensuring no area has been missed. The second officer can also have an overview of what is going on in the street.”
The Police panel also highlighted the success of ‘Operation Blunt’ - a stop and search scheme that was set up to tackle the problems of violent crimes involving weapons. Over 300 knives have been taken off the street because of the initiative.
Students were invited to ask questions regarding, amongst many concerns; how stop and search has been effective; what procedures must you follow to make a complaint; in what kind of situations am I more likely to be stopped; and, why do the Police mainly stop black boys?
Chief Inspector Jon Kirkpatrick, from the Lambeth Police Partnership, said: “It may be a perception that certain groups are stopped more than others. However, there is absolutely no prejudice when stops are carried out. The Police have no policy that determines that they stop people because of their colour. It would be unlawful and immoral to do so."
