I look forward to the day when we can really make an effort to prevent crime in the UK and give the police proper powers.
When the police are able to enter someone's house and search their belongings to see if there is anything illegal going on it will almost totally eliminate crime in the UK. Surely this is nothing but the logical extension of the stop and search policy.
By searching houses and removing illegal or criminal items the police would be able to prevent things like weapons and drugs getting on the street rather than waiting until then to catch them. If we supplement this with CCTV around the house, crimes like child and spouse abuse will be done away with completely.
I mean, surely the only people who would object to this have something to hide....
Reductio Absurdum, Glasgow, Scotland.
Stop and Search is one of the worst policies imaginable. For some reason a generation which was offended by it is now older and thinks the "younger" generations wont mind.
I hope they do.
Stop and search undermines the basis of the criminal justice system - the person is assumed to be guilty without evidence then evidence is looked for.
The whole process is flawed because all it does is change the appearance of the criminal rather than remove the criminality. People who are already whipped into a fit of fear by a callous media may like the though of the "shifty" looking dark skinned kids being frisked every few hours, but that is all it does - briefly cheer up the frightened and guilable.
A Policeman, London, UK
I think Mr Jarrett is correct and brave for standing up and telling the truth. The truth hurst, and no matter how hard these white, "liberal", fat, rich old men try to cover it up, the crime figures are real, and real solutions must be made to overcome them.
I woudl be glad if my sons and daughters were stopped and searched by police, as long as they were unharmed and treated with polite firmness. If it stops them or their friends getting killed, then I'm all for a little bit of wounded pride.
Liz Scott, Gutersloh, Germany
I have a lot of respect for Libby Purves. Many times, have I read her articles, nodding in agreement with each eloquent and passionate point,however, on this issue I think you are totally wrong. Until a time when the numbers of minority police officers reflects the population as a whole, a return to stop and search is unwarranted. As a black professional, I have experienced the ugly face of policing, the ordinary prejudice with which they carry out their duties. I have had an innocent family member tortured by the state in the infamous Stoke Newington Police Station. These youths are already over represented in prisons and police data bases. The sad irony is that that they are also most likely to be the victims of violent crime. When you cannot expect or trust the police to protect you, who do you turn to? With apathy and no real politics, I do not see a return to the Brixton riots. These children are too busy trying to survive to take to the streets asking for society to intervene.
Donald Ideh, London, UK
"the crimes that police have to prevent are not predominantly drugs or burglary, but murders"
What!?!?!? Are you mad?? You're claiming there are more murders than drugs or burglary offences?
Regarding stop and search - "with reasonable politeness" - That, I think, is the risk. I've never known a policeman to be polite.
JonB, Glasgow, UK
The use of juveniles by adults and criminal gangs for keeping and delivery of drugs or firearms could be easily targeted for high profile stop and search.
Adults who outsource the liability for penalty of possession in this way, not only launch the under aged on a likely career criminal path, but also take advantage to exploit their lesser ability to think through possible consequences of life-threatening behaviour to which they may become party..
Those who abuse the minds of children in this way should attract the severe treatment of other reviled individuals.
dr venables preller, Warminster, UK
I am all for stop and search - if you have nothing to hide then why should you mind afterall it is done to protect us from the maniacs carrying knives and drugs. We do't think twice about being checked out and frisked at an airport! I know (from a previous career) that certain groups in society are more predetermined to commiting certain types of crime i.e. black people commit gun crime and robbery, white people burglary and theft, asian people drugs offenses and knife crime. I also know that when police stop and search they are responding to intelligence they have recieved. This could be intelligence that a group of black youths are known to carry knives - therefore it is perfectly reasonable that they would stop more black youths as there is a threat to public safety! I have stopped under section 44 of the counter terrorism act. I'm not ashamed or annoyed - I would be more annoyed if they missed a potential threat!
Jane, Birmingham, UK
What Libby Purves does not understand is that the police don’t just stop ‘slouching teenage’ black males, they stop any black males under pensionable age. Talking from first hand experience, for most part of the day, I am in a suit and I’ve now lost count of number of times I have been stopped; whether I am in a car or on foot. The police are rarely civil when this happens. I have never had a criminal record, but being repeatedly stopped and searched has given me a negative view of the Met police.
Britain is becoming a more racist country. Not just White on Black, but Black on Black, Asian on Eastern European etc etc. The police need to come up with a different approach, which won’t alienate the Black community.
Kamara, London,
The old Vagrancy Act, 'Suspected Person Loitering with Intent' law had another valuable usage (quite apart from the racist Woodentops of the Met!).
Outside London, it was regularly used when known perverts were hanging about around children's playgrounds and schools. It was a very effective legal tool for the police in this field until it was repealed because of metropolitan abuse.
Brian Vallance, LEFKIMMI, Greece
I have to disagree with you Frederick. It is never too late, not until the last law abiding citizen is dead buried and long since forgotten, and to think otherwise is to give in and surrender to the less desirable elements of our society.
No, things will never be perfect, but any idea which has the possibility of making things better, even the slightest bit better, should be backed whole heartedly. This, in my opinion, is a fine example of such an idea.
In addition I would also say that if there are worries of black people, asians, or any other minority group being excessively targetted, I, as an almost stereotypically white middle class nobody, am happy to be stopped myself, as many times as necessary to make this sort of preventetive action work.
Dave, worthing, uk
it's now too late to change anything in this country. The ordinary citizen is now in a state of despair at the policys of this country. The fattest people, the biggest drinkers, the most yobs etc. etc. The list of negatives is almost endless. I think Europe will soon be holding a referendum to get rid of us not vice versa.
Frederick, London , UK
Almost every day we hear news of yet again another stabbing or shooting, I don’t know what our politicians are focusing own – it seems as though that Britain crime griping culture is no longer an issue for our politicians. While politically correct paranoia prevents our police and law enforcers to catch criminals and punish them hard. Meanwhile, our soft judges cannot even bother to argue reasons behind their silly soft judgments; undoubtedly it’s a terrible time for law abiding citizens of this country
h.marph, London,
Also, it should be added, not afraid to place their own life at risk in favour of protecting the public.
Bravo Libby. Once again the nail-hitter supremo :)
Keith Robotham, Dalsland, Sweden
I look forward to the day when we can really make an effort to prevent crime in the UK and give the police proper powers.
When the police are able to enter someone's house and search their belongings to see if there is anything illegal going on it will almost totally eliminate crime in the UK. Surely this is nothing but the logical extension of the stop and search policy.
By searching houses and removing illegal or criminal items the police would be able to prevent things like weapons and drugs getting on the street rather than waiting until then to catch them. If we supplement this with CCTV around the house, crimes like child and spouse abuse will be done away with completely.
I mean, surely the only people who would object to this have something to hide....
Reductio Absurdum, Glasgow, Scotland.
Stop and Search is one of the worst policies imaginable. For some reason a generation which was offended by it is now older and thinks the "younger" generations wont mind.
I hope they do.
Stop and search undermines the basis of the criminal justice system - the person is assumed to be guilty without evidence then evidence is looked for.
The whole process is flawed because all it does is change the appearance of the criminal rather than remove the criminality. People who are already whipped into a fit of fear by a callous media may like the though of the "shifty" looking dark skinned kids being frisked every few hours, but that is all it does - briefly cheer up the frightened and guilable.
A Policeman, London, UK
I think Mr Jarrett is correct and brave for standing up and telling the truth. The truth hurst, and no matter how hard these white, "liberal", fat, rich old men try to cover it up, the crime figures are real, and real solutions must be made to overcome them.
I woudl be glad if my sons and daughters were stopped and searched by police, as long as they were unharmed and treated with polite firmness. If it stops them or their friends getting killed, then I'm all for a little bit of wounded pride.
Liz Scott, Gutersloh, Germany
I have a lot of respect for Libby Purves. Many times, have I read her articles, nodding in agreement with each eloquent and passionate point,however, on this issue I think you are totally wrong. Until a time when the numbers of minority police officers reflects the population as a whole, a return to stop and search is unwarranted. As a black professional, I have experienced the ugly face of policing, the ordinary prejudice with which they carry out their duties. I have had an innocent family member tortured by the state in the infamous Stoke Newington Police Station. These youths are already over represented in prisons and police data bases. The sad irony is that that they are also most likely to be the victims of violent crime. When you cannot expect or trust the police to protect you, who do you turn to? With apathy and no real politics, I do not see a return to the Brixton riots. These children are too busy trying to survive to take to the streets asking for society to intervene.
Donald Ideh, London, UK
"the crimes that police have to prevent are not predominantly drugs or burglary, but murders"
What!?!?!? Are you mad?? You're claiming there are more murders than drugs or burglary offences?
Regarding stop and search - "with reasonable politeness" - That, I think, is the risk. I've never known a policeman to be polite.
JonB, Glasgow, UK
The use of juveniles by adults and criminal gangs for keeping and delivery of drugs or firearms could be easily targeted for high profile stop and search.
Adults who outsource the liability for penalty of possession in this way, not only launch the under aged on a likely career criminal path, but also take advantage to exploit their lesser ability to think through possible consequences of life-threatening behaviour to which they may become party..
Those who abuse the minds of children in this way should attract the severe treatment of other reviled individuals.
dr venables preller, Warminster, UK
I am all for stop and search - if you have nothing to hide then why should you mind afterall it is done to protect us from the maniacs carrying knives and drugs. We do't think twice about being checked out and frisked at an airport! I know (from a previous career) that certain groups in society are more predetermined to commiting certain types of crime i.e. black people commit gun crime and robbery, white people burglary and theft, asian people drugs offenses and knife crime. I also know that when police stop and search they are responding to intelligence they have recieved. This could be intelligence that a group of black youths are known to carry knives - therefore it is perfectly reasonable that they would stop more black youths as there is a threat to public safety! I have stopped under section 44 of the counter terrorism act. I'm not ashamed or annoyed - I would be more annoyed if they missed a potential threat!
Jane, Birmingham, UK
What Libby Purves does not understand is that the police don’t just stop ‘slouching teenage’ black males, they stop any black males under pensionable age. Talking from first hand experience, for most part of the day, I am in a suit and I’ve now lost count of number of times I have been stopped; whether I am in a car or on foot. The police are rarely civil when this happens. I have never had a criminal record, but being repeatedly stopped and searched has given me a negative view of the Met police.
Britain is becoming a more racist country. Not just White on Black, but Black on Black, Asian on Eastern European etc etc. The police need to come up with a different approach, which won’t alienate the Black community.
Kamara, London,
The old Vagrancy Act, 'Suspected Person Loitering with Intent' law had another valuable usage (quite apart from the racist Woodentops of the Met!).
Outside London, it was regularly used when known perverts were hanging about around children's playgrounds and schools. It was a very effective legal tool for the police in this field until it was repealed because of metropolitan abuse.
Brian Vallance, LEFKIMMI, Greece
I have to disagree with you Frederick. It is never too late, not until the last law abiding citizen is dead buried and long since forgotten, and to think otherwise is to give in and surrender to the less desirable elements of our society.
No, things will never be perfect, but any idea which has the possibility of making things better, even the slightest bit better, should be backed whole heartedly. This, in my opinion, is a fine example of such an idea.
In addition I would also say that if there are worries of black people, asians, or any other minority group being excessively targetted, I, as an almost stereotypically white middle class nobody, am happy to be stopped myself, as many times as necessary to make this sort of preventetive action work.
Dave, worthing, uk
it's now too late to change anything in this country. The ordinary citizen is now in a state of despair at the policys of this country. The fattest people, the biggest drinkers, the most yobs etc. etc. The list of negatives is almost endless. I think Europe will soon be holding a referendum to get rid of us not vice versa.
Frederick, London , UK
Almost every day we hear news of yet again another stabbing or shooting, I don’t know what our politicians are focusing own – it seems as though that Britain crime griping culture is no longer an issue for our politicians. While politically correct paranoia prevents our police and law enforcers to catch criminals and punish them hard. Meanwhile, our soft judges cannot even bother to argue reasons behind their silly soft judgments; undoubtedly it’s a terrible time for law abiding citizens of this country
h.marph, London,
Also, it should be added, not afraid to place their own life at risk in favour of protecting the public.
Bravo Libby. Once again the nail-hitter supremo :)
Keith Robotham, Dalsland, Sweden