Stop & Search. MPS annual report 2015/16. Stop & Search - Protecting Londoners. July 2016

Transcription

1 Stop & Search MPS annual report 2015/16 July 2016 Stop & Search - Protecting Londoners

2 The Commissioner s Vision To achieve the highest level of trust and confidence in the police's use of stop and search as a power for keeping our streets safe. As a consequence, the use of stop and search in London will become more effective and targeted, leading to better outcomes. It will be conducted with dignity and respect, and be used primarily to protect our communities from violent and serious crime. Borough Name

3 Contents Foreword page 5 Our Aim page 6 Our Innovations page 7 What we do page 8 Our year page 11 The Challenges page 12 Our plans page 13

4 The primary purpose of stop and search is to enable officers to either allay or confirm their suspicions about an individual without having to arrest the person. PACE Code A The MPS believes a stop and search is most likely to be Fair and Effective when: the search is justified, lawful and stands up to public scrutiny; the officer has genuine and objectively reasonable suspicion they will find a prohibited article or item for use in crime; the person understands why they have been searched and feels that they have been treated with respect; the search was necessary and was the most proportionate method the police officer could use to establish whether the person has such an item.

5 Foreword Commander Neil Jerome MPS Lead for Stop and Search Welcome to the first annual report on the use of stop and search by the MPS. In a society where policing is based upon the principle of consent, the MPS needs the support of those we serve in order to be effective. Arguably, some of the most intrusive and contentious powers granted to us by Parliament are those of stop and search. By using our stop and search powers fairly and in a way that is effective in keeping the public safe, the MPS can build community confidence and encourage people to be more socially responsible in helping to reduce crime and disorder. I am confident the MPS will continue to make progress in the use of stop and search achieving greater transparency, community involvement in the use of stop and search powers and an intelligence led approach to its use. 5

6 Our Aim Stop and Search protects Londoners, detects crime and keeps our streets safe. Our aim is to deliver the Commissioner s vision and ensure the use of stop and search contributes towards reducing crime, reducing costs and increasing public confidence. In January 2012 we launched STOP IT, which has resulted in reduced volumes, reduced complaints and increased arrest rates. We know we have a strong public mandate for our continued use of stop and search as 74% of Londoner s are confident it is used fairly. However we do not underestimate the impact stop and search has on communities and individuals and to maintain public confidence in its use, stop and search must be used in a Fair and Effective manner. That is why in January 2012 we launched a major and renewed focus on stop and search. Since then, there has been significant reductions in the volume of searches carried out, increased arrest rates and reduced complaints. We also recognise the need to account for, and explain to our communities when we use the power. We do this by publishing comprehensive data and allowing for public scrutiny of our stop and search forms. Importantly we also need to explain to our own people what we have done, and what we expect from expect them. We hope this report will inform and maybe even inspire. 6

7 Our Innovations 2012 STOP IT launched Authority level for s.60 raised to Commander. Launch of MPS e-learning package, adopted nationally. Inserted S&S confidence questions into the Public Attitude Survey Introduced a bespoke S&S performance framework now adopted by other forces Conducted the first Randomised Control Trial (RCT) in British Policing to test the effectiveness of stop & search training, (BDAT). Online feedback survey launched and QR codes trialled. Devised the Stop & Search Confidence Model Introduced supervisor s authority to conduct a More Thorough Search where Intimate Parts are Exposed (MTIP) Created the smell alone is insufficient grounds rule for cannabis searches Developed a front line Behavioural Detection training package. Created the Quality of Encounter Model (EERR) Appointed the first Independent Reviewer of s60. Commenced the largest ever BWV pilot involving the recording of S&S Roll out of the new video based student officer training package Stopping People, focused on delivering a quality and procedurally just encounter, rather than just teaching legislation. Both Authorised Professional Practice and the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme reflect many of the innovative practices developed by the MPS. 7

8 What We Do Everything we do is led by our confidence model, it drives all our activity. Our objective is to increase public confidence and feelings of legitimacy in our use of the power. Simply put, we want to show we are Effective, we Listen and we are Fair. We show we are Effective by using stop and search to target those crimes that most affect the community and arresting criminals. We Listen to what the community say about stop and search. They understand we need to do it, but have concerns over how we do it. Fairness is best displayed by having a quality encounter with the person searched, they feel the grounds are valid and it was done with respect. 8

9 Governance Performance Scrutiny Being Efficient Being Fair & Effective Being held to account Stop and Search in London is managed through a three distinct strands, Governance, Performance and Scrutiny. These form a Trident with each prong controlling and directing how stop and search is used. We cannot hold ourselves to account and so Scrutiny is primarily the responsibility of MOPAC. Governance is managed through the quarterly Programme Board chaired by Commander Jerome. He is assisted by a variety of stakeholders from MetTraining, Digital Policing, staff associations and BOCU s who discuss all matter of internal issues such as policy, training and media messages. Stop and Search Performance is always contentious and officers should not be set targets to conduct a set number of stop and searches. The Met has a simple performance framework which we call 20/20/40, we expect a 20% arrest rate 20% of searches should be for weapons 40% of searches should be for the priority crimes. 35 The total number of HMIC, Home Office and other bodies stop and search recommendations. We also specifically measure Public confidence in our use of Stop and Search and since December 2012 have asked over 48,000 Londoners for their views on Stop and Search. This is by far the largest survey on Stop and Search ever conducted in the UK and is arguably a strong measure of legitimacy. Results show overwhelming support for the power, 73% being in favour and 74% confident it is used fairly. Another survey of 9,000 London schoolchildren found 58% believe Stop and Search makes them feel safer. 9

10 Our recent performance is shown in the table below and it vividly displays how we have changed our approach since Last year we conducted 154,801 searches, this means one person being searched every two hours on each Borough. FY FY FY FY FY Searches 472, , , , ,801 S60 searches 39,392 3,163 1, Arrests 43,191 43,152 46,588 32,905 29,959 Arrest Rate 8.4% 12.0% 16.0% 19.1% 19.2% CJ outcomes 65,005 62,698 64,884 49,534 47,441 Outcome rate 12.7% 17.3% 22.3% 28.8% 30.4% Weapons arrests 3,143 3,095 3,571 3,126 3,530 Complaints Scrutiny is the responsibility of MOPAC and every Borough has a local Community Monitoring Group (CMG). These groups scrutinise our performance and are offered copies of every stop and search conducted on the Borough. They check the grounds and hold the Borough to account for how stop and search is used. They are supported by a London wide Community Group Network (CMN) which brings together the Chairs of all the CMG s. 1 person searched every 2 hours on each Borough 10

11 Our Year in Review In 2015/16 we: removed the form 5099, MTIP s are now recorded on CRiMINT and each one is reviewed by the central team. delivered Stop & Search masterclasses to front line officers from five B/OCU s. You cannot Strip Search under S&S legislation, you can conduct a More Thorough Search with Intimate Parts exposed (MTIP). developed a TSG practice based training package for Borough Officers. were visited by MP s, foreign and UK Police forces and UN representatives. ran the first ever RCT to test the impact of metal detecting wands on stop and search. created the new POSH reasonable grounds matrix. hosted the National Stop & Search summit at ESB. answered numerous Mayor s Questions and Freedom of Information Act requests. led in creating a fit for purpose national definition of Fair and Effective stop and search. successfully contested a Judicial Review of section 60 in the Supreme Court. extended the smell alone is insufficient, approach to passive Drugs Dog indications. 11

12 Challenges Whilst much has been achieved there is still plenty to do and we face a number of challenges in increasing public confidence in our use of the power. We feel the most significant challenges are; 21% - the gap between Black & Asian confidence levels. Confidence of Black Londoners It is often quoted there is a mistrust of stop and search amongst BME communities. In fact, White and Asian confidence levels are similar. However a legacy of fraught encounters and often misleading media and agenda driven academic work has created a considerable confidence gap amongst Black Londoners. Asian 74% Black 53% White 78% Increase the number of weapons searches We want to target those crimes that most effect Londoners and few crimes are as devastating and impactive as knife crime. Currently 15% of our searches are for weapons which is short of our 20% target. Officer confidence We know that the levels of negativity that has surrounded stop and search over the last few years has eroded officer confidence. Officers tell us they are reluctant to use the power for fear of criticism and discipline. Our activity in 2016/17 will therefore be directed at meeting these challenges and the measures outlined on the next page are our initial plans. 12

13 Our Plans 1. Roll out a re-designed 5090 We have heard the feedback from front line officers and will increase the size of the grounds box, make the codes clearer and add up to date information to increase officer confidence. 2. Create a front line focus group Many officers are passionate about stop and search and have innovative ideas on how we can improve. In particular we need some honest and frank feedback on what we can do to increase both officer confidence and weapons searches. 3. Judgement range SCO19 have had real success with their Taser judgement range, it places people in the officer s shoes and asks them to make the call. We think a similar approach with stop and search will raise public confidence. A new joint MPS/BTP/CoLP, Know Your Rights cards be available from July New training Behavioural Detection training has been updated and we hope will form part of PDD s. Also the new, well received student training input Stopping People, will be packaged for established officers to improve confidence. 5. Establish an Evidence Based Policing group We will run a number of projects, such as evaluating screening arches and drugs dogs, to see what works. 6. Community scrutiny of BWV footage We strongly believe if Londoners actually see what we do, it will fundamentally change attitudes and improve confidence. We will create a process to allow footage to be shared with communities. 7. Bitesizes We will produce 90 second video inputs on the 5 key stop and search issues to allow busy front line officers to get quickly up to speed on the latest changes to improve knowledge and thus confidence. 13

14 Some of the weapons taken off the streets by stop and search this year This is just a snapshot of the hard work that goes into delivering stop and search all over the Met. The MPS recognises its importance to both fighting crime and community relations, and as a result invests heavily in getting it right. Visit the MPS Stop and Search intranet page. Look under S on the A-Z index. The Home Secretary s recent announcement that all vehicle stops will be recorded adds another dimension to Police-Public Encounters, in London a 2.5 million times a year extra dimension. If you require any further information please visit the MPS stop and search intranet site which has guidance, FAQ s and much more. If wish to be part of the front line focus group or have some ideas for the Evidence Based Policing group please contact the team. 14

15 Freedom of Information Publication Scheme Government Security Classification: Official Publication (Y/N): N internal product Title Stop and Search MPS Annual report 2015/16 Summary Internal annual corporate performance report for stop and search Author & OCU Insp Simon Rotherham MPS Stop & Search Team MPS Stop and Search team Address : Stops and Searches TPHQ 17 th Floor North, ESB Telephone :

16 Stop & Search Protecting Londoners The Crown, Metropolitan Police Service,