Response to Centre for Social Justice report and Channel 4 News item on use of stop and search
Richard Bennett, College of Policing lead for Uniformed Policing, said:
“Blanket increases in stop and search will not result in a dramatic reduction of crime.
“College research tells us that higher use of stop and search only occasionally leads to a reduction in crime and its use as a deterrent is limited.
“Our research suggests extremely large increases in its use would only deliver modest reductions in crime and our research has shown it is least effective in cases of violent crime.
“The most effective use of stop and search is likely to be through a targeted approach in known crime hot spots.
“College guidance makes it clear how officers can carry out stop and search in an effective way to maximise the benefits of the power.”