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Fight against knife crime continues with Northumbria Police increased ‘stop search’
A senior officer has said how Northumbria Police are actively being encouraged to search those suspected of carrying weapons, whatever their age.
The increase in ‘stop and search’ powers comes as the fight against knife crime continues.
UK law states that police have the right to stop and search a member of the public if they have ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect they are carrying a weapon, illegal drugs, stolen property or an item which could be used in a crime.
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, Northumbria Police’s lead for knife crime, explained that there has been a “huge” increase in the use of the power of the last 12 months.
Barron said: “We do use stop and search, we have actually seen a huge increase in the last 12 months in the use of stop and search in the Northumbria Police area, which is really really positive.”
“We can’t just go out and search people, we do have to have reasonable grounds and we have to act within the law when we stop and search people.”
“But I do want to reassure people that this is something Northumbria Police is really keen on, that we really encourage, and we have seen a huge increase in the use of stop and search for offensive weapons, which again is a real positive.”
“It’s a really valid tactic, but it is only one thing that we can do in order to tackle knife crime. It’s really useful and we have seen really good results, but it is just one thing that we do.”
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