Response to Criminal Justice Alliance super-complaint
Leicestershire Police notes the recommendations made in the Report on the Criminal Justice Alliance’s super-complaint relating to the use of s.60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
We recognise the concerns that accompany the use of this power and we want to reassure the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland that we apply the strictest levels of scrutiny to its use.
Between 2015 and 2021 the power was only authorised here on five occasions, resulting in a total of eighteen people being searched. In September 2022 it was used in a small, defined geographic area over a number of days to target serious disorder, but has not been used since. In three of the last eight years there were no s.60 authorities given in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.
We have continued to adopt many of the provisions of the Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme, even though the guidance was removed in 2022. This is because we understand the additional safeguards and reassurance that it provides to communities. However, we also recognise that s.60, used fairly and proportionately, is a useful tool with which to help keep our citizens safe at times of significant risk.
Of the recommendations contained in the report, it is reassuring to see that we already fully or partially comply with the majority and of those that we do not, we will work with key stakeholders to implement them by the target date of 14th June 2024.
Specifically, we will:
- Review and improve our training for officers who authorise and conduct searches under this power, ensuring they understand the impact of such searches on individuals and communities
- Ensure that our briefings to officers are recorded so that they are auditable, transparent and available for external scrutiny
- Examine our children’s safeguarding processes so that every child searched under this power is considered as a potential victim of Child Criminal Exploitation and that the legitimacy of that search is reviewed
- Review our communications with communities and key stakeholders and ensure that they meet the needs of those most affected by the use of the power
- Work with external scrutiny panels so that they have the necessary representation, understanding and training with which to be able to hold us to account
- Work with external scrutiny groups to expand the range of data provided following s.60 searches and ensure that feedback is captured to inform our future use of the power
- Continue to make senior police leaders available and accountable to our communities, both around the use of s.60 and stop and search generally