Stop & search to be scrutinised by young people

Young people in Cheshire will have the opportunity to dip sample Cheshire Constabulary’s Stop & Search procedure to ensure that the Constabulary are using their powers correctly.

The process will involve groups of young people working alongside, the Youth Ambassador Dominic Rogers and Inspector Gareth Woods looking at 20 cases from the previous month. The dip sampling will take place every three months with the results being fed back to the Commissioner and Chief Constable.

Today, the Home Office’s ‘Best Use of Stop and Search’ Scheme has been adopted by Cheshire Constabulary, and is designed to build greater transparency and community involvement in the use of Stop & Search Powers.

Inspector Gareth Woods from the Constabulary’s Diversity Unit said: “Cheshire Constabulary is compliant with the recommendations made under the Best Use of Stop & Search Scheme. However, we will not be complacent and will continue to do all that we can to ensure that we use stop and search tactics strategically in order to improve public confidence and trust.”

Dominic Rogers said: “Stop and search is a procedure that is used by the Constabulary to ensure the safety of the public. Young people often feel as though they are targeted by officers using stop and search. The dip sampling will allow groups of young people to advise myself and the Constabulary on whether the power was used appropriately and whether the procedure was correct. This will allow us to learn valuable lessons and provide feedback to officers on the use of the powers.”