The Metropolitan Police has unveiled a new charter for stop and search, promising more oversight and improved handling of complaints surrounding the controversial tactic. The force stressed that the measure remains invaluable in taking weapons and drugs off the streets, but also committed to enhancing how it is carried out.
Developed with input from over 8,500 Londoners of diverse ages and ethnicities, the new charter aims to address public concerns and improve trust. Stop and search allows officers to detain individuals without arrest if they have reasonable grounds to suspect they are carrying an unlawful item, such as a weapon or drugs.
The tactic has been the subject of significant criticism, with many ethnic minorities, particularly young black men, arguing that they are disproportionately targeted. For some, stop and search has become a “rite of passage”, a practice that leaves them feeling embarrassed, humiliated, and mistrustful of the police.
Campaigners point to the practice as a significant factor behind the strained relationship between the police and communities. However, the Met argues that stop and search has been instrumental in reducing violence, pointing to the seizure of 17,500 weapons over the past four years, including 3,500 in 2024 alone.
Public support for stop and search is mixed, with up to 68% of Londoners, including young people, reportedly backing the tactic. Nevertheless, many black Londoners view it as a source of tension with the police.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, acknowledged the controversy, admitting that poorly executed stop and search can “burn through trust.” However, he added that many officers already approach the tactic with respect and empathy. Sir Mark expressed hope that the new charter would help rebuild trust in a practice that has historically eroded relationships between the police and certain communities.
The charter was introduced in response to the 2023 review of the Met by Baroness Casey, which highlighted several areas for improvement. Public consultations held across London, along with surveys of over 8,500 people, provided input on what the charter should entail.
The Met’s new charter outlines the following measures to ensure stop and search is done professionally and respectfully:
- Improved training: Officers will be better educated about the communities they serve, focusing on communication skills and de-escalation techniques during searches.
- Enhanced supervision: The process will undergo more regular and random reviews to ensure it is operating effectively and fairly.
- Better handling of complaints: The complaints process will be made more accessible, with community involvement in decision-making to combat internal bias.
- Community collaboration: The force will work closely with local communities to reduce fear and demonstrate that stop and search is conducted fairly and without prejudice.
Sir Mark Rowley concluded, “If we are to take the fight to those intent on causing serious violence, fear, and intimidation across London, then stop and search must form part of that effort. If we allow its contentious nature and the concerns associated with it to prevent us from using it, then only the criminals win.”
He further emphasised that the new charter was a powerful step forward, particularly as it had been shaped in collaboration with local communities. “We are committed to this change and to rebuilding trust by continuing the conversations that have made it possible so far,” he said.
