‘Stop and search has its place but too often is used in a way which demeans and humiliates young black people in particular’
Labour MP Chuka Umunna has attacked plans to increase police’s stop and search powers, claiming the practice “demeans” and “humiliates” young black people.
The former shadow business secretary responded to plans by home secretary Sajid Javid to extend laws to members of the force can stop and search anyone suspected of carrying acid without good reason. At current, police can only search someone if they are acting upon evidence.
Speaking on Twitter, Umma wrote: “Lambeth, which I represent, has one of the highest rates of stop and search in the country.
“Stop and search has its place but too often is used in a way which demeans and humiliates young black people in particular.
He added: “The Golden Rule – that you do not do to others what you would not want to be done to yourself – dictates that stop and search be intelligence-led and is carried out in a way which respects and does not degrade the person subjected to it.”
Thread on Stop and Search:#Lambeth, which I represent, has one of the highest rates of stop & search in the country. Stop & search has its place but too often is used in a way which demeans and humiliates young black people in particular./1 https://t.co/RsqAcsd1K0
— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) September 4, 2018
Stop and search is a controversial method that police claimed can be used to prevent gang-related crime.
There has been an increased pressure on both the government and police to tackle the exceeding knife and acid attacks, after the worst year in history for street crime in the capital.
Javid believes the officers should have more power when stop searching and is planning to allow officers to search for acid as well as knives.
A Home Office spokeswoman told The Times: “As outlined in the serious violent crime strategy, we are looking at ways to strengthen police powers to identify individuals carrying corrosive substances.”
