Met publish Stop and Search Charter recommended by Baroness Casey
The Met has today published a new Stop and Search Charter, which aims to shape the future of one of policing’s most contentious tactics.
The charter follows a year-and-a-half of engagement with more than 8,500 Londoners of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “Stop and search is a critical policing tool. Done well, it stops those intent on causing death, injury and fear in our communities. It takes dangerous weapons and drugs off our streets and in doing so, it saves lives.
“Done badly, it has the potential to burn through trust with those we are here to protect, undermining our founding principle of ‘policing by consent’ and damaging our efforts to keep the public safe.”
Over the past four years, 17,500 weapons were seized as a result of stop and search, including at least 3,500 in 2024.
According to the Met’s polling, up to 68 per cent of Londoners support its use. But that support varies depending on who is asked, the force said.
Many Black Londoners have told the Met that stop and search creates tensions between their communities and the police.
The Stop and Search Charter was recommended by Baroness Casey in her 2023 report, which exposed “deep-seated homophobia, misogyny and racism” within the Met police.
The charter’s commitments include more focus on the quality of stop and search encounters, improved training and supervision for officers, improved handling of complaints, better use of technology and community involvement, particularly in areas where stop and search is being used.
The final writing of the document was led by 80 young people aged between 16 and 23 who were invited to New Scotland Yard to interpret feedback.
Sir Rowley said: “The charter is not about doing less stop and search. It is about doing it better by improving the quality of encounters, informed by the views of the public it is intended to protect.
“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 force us into doing less of it, then only the criminals win.”
Pictured top: Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (Picture: The Met)
It is essential that the Met police are are allowed to use this freely.