Talk to Notts Police about stop and search, 7pm.

Icon_article Star-blue1 Published: March 07, 2013 13:57 by Francesca |

Tagged as: anti-racism repression
Neighbourhoods: fields forest radford

the notts police will be available for chatting about stuff later tonight via this link.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/LIVE-Stop-search-webchat-Notts-Police/story-18334566-detail/story.html

Comments

Chat log

Comment Published: March 07, 2013 20:02 by community liaison officer

Corporate Communication:
Hello and welcome to our live online chat on stop and search. Assistant Chief Constable Sue Fish will be answering your questions tonight, alongside Inspector Steve Cartwright and Performance Partnerships & Business Development Manager Erica Doran.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:00
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Assistant Chief Constable Sue Fish
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:00
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Inspector Steve Cartwright
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:00
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Erica Doran - Performance Partnerships & Business Devlopment Manager
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:00
Corporate Communication:
We are ready for your questions!
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:01

chris:
have you got any jobs going at the moment
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:04
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Chris, we are recruiting specials, volunteers and regular officers. Further details can be found on our website http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/jobs/
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:04

Scarlet:
Hello, I am a Journalism student at NTU, currently looking for a news story to write and I came across the infomation on this live chat, I was wondering if you'd be able to tell me what exactly this stop and search live chat is in aid of? Is stop and search becoming a more regular occourance around nottingham? Thank you
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:05

Dave:
Hi, Please could you explain what stop and search actually means?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:05
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Scarlet, we wanted to do a live chat on stop and search so that we can listen to the views of our communities and improve their understanding of why and how the police use stop and search.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:05
Corporate Communication:
Stop and Search means that a member of the public may be stopped and searched to allow officers to allay or confirm suspicion about someone without the officer exercising their powers of arrest. A power to search must exist and be searches must be based upon reasonable grounds for suspicion. Searches must be conducted in accordance with code A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:05
Corporate Communication:
If you are stopped and searched, the officer should explain the grounds for the search, what they are looking for, tell you who they are and where they are based, and provide you with a receipt which allows you to get a full record for up to three months after you have been stopped and searched.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:08

Guest:
Hi. What is the difference between a section 1 and section 60 stop and search?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:08
Nottinghamshire Police:
I hope this answers your question on the difference between section 1 and Section 60:

Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) gives a police officer the power to stop and search someone if they have reasonable grounds to suspecstant:
• The person is carrying items that are evidence of an offence, such as drugs, weapons or stolen property
• The person matches the description of a suspect

Under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, a senior officer authorises other officers to stop and search after an incident of violent crime has taken place within a specific area. It is only used for a limited time in a specific area once information is received that there could be an increase in serious violence or that weapons are being carried. It allows officers to stop and search people without reasonable grounds.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:09
Nottinghamshire Police:
Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 provides powers to search and obtain evidence. 23(2) If a constable has reasonable grounds to suspect that any person is in possession of a controlled drug in contravention of this Act or of any regulations or orders made thereunder, the constable may - (a) search that person, and detain him for the purpose of searching him; (b) search any vehicle or vessel in which the constable suspects that the drug may be found, and for the purpose require the person in control of the vehicle or vessel to stop it; (c) seize and detain, for the purposes of proceedings under this Act, anything found in the course of the search, which appears to the constable to be evidence of an offence under this Act .
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:10

Ben:
Do PCSOs have the power to Stop & Search or is it just PCs & SCs?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:11
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Ben, PCSOs do have powers of stop and search in relation to terrorism legislation. They also have wider powers of seizure around alcohol and drugs.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:11

Guest:
I have never been stopped. What are the chances of it occurring to me?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:12
Corporate Communication:
Officers will only look to use stop and search where they have reasonable suspicion that you have committed or are about to commit a crime, or are carrying prohibited articles. We are more likely to stop and search in an area where particular types of crime are an issue e.g. burglary. For instance if you are in an area and matched the description of an offender given to police by a victim, you may be stopped and searched.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:12
Nottinghamshire Police:
Officers now use a mobile phone application on their BlackBerry to record all stop and searches. This gives a clear indication as to when and where the stop and search has taken place, with a link to GPS.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:13

Scarlet:
Thank you, would you be able to tell me how many people the Nottinghamshire Police stop and search each day or week?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:16
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Scarlet, from April to December 2012 we stop and searched 2,345 individuals, this equates to on average roughly 8.6 stop and searches per day across Nottinghamshire. During this time, crime in Nottinghamshire has also fallen. Stop and search when used appropriately in the disruption and detection of crime.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:16
Nottinghamshire Police:
If you have never taken part in a live chat before, it is very easy! You can simply just watch and read our updates as the event progresses. If you would like to take part and we encourage you to do so, please send in your comments in the box and we will post them!
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:17
Nottinghamshire Police:
As part of the Force’s determination to continually improve the way it approaches its use of stop and search powers, a draft policy document is being published for public consultation. Please email erica.doran@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk with any comments or feedback, no later than Sunday 31 March 2013.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:18
Nottinghamshire Police:
Draft stop and search policy - fpr public consultation
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:18

phil:
Why do you think there is still a large amount of disproportionality between whites and BME members being stopped and searched, when it is an area that has been highlighted in a number of reports as needing sorting?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:21
Corporate Communication:
This is an important area that we are looking to address. There are many theories as to why stop and search is disproportionate, not just in Nottinghamshire but across the UK. We are working with a number of other organisations to better understand this and we are improving our stop and search training and officer behaviour to ensure that stop and search is used legally, fairly and proportionately. The new census information gives a clearer picture of the communities we serve and it is important that we regularly consult with local people about our use of stop and search powers.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:21

Guest:
Why is so difficult to get receipts for searchs? My experience has been a refusal to do it there and then, and then I've been met by blank expressions at the police station.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:21
Nottinghamshire Police:
Every officer completing a search must provide you with a receipt. This receipt then enables you to obtain a full record at your local police station. This is a legal requirement in relation to stop and search. If that hasn't happened, contact us via our website: http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/contact/feedback/
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:21

Guest:
Are you committed to stopping the practice of using stop-and-search as an intimidation tactic?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:24
Nottinghamshire Police:
We have used stop and search as a legitimate tactic to disrupt and detect crime. Stop and search should not and is not used as intimidation. Each search should only be conducted where reasonable grounds exist.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:24
Nottinghamshire Police:
Stop and search powers are used to help keep the people of Nottinghamshire safe. Using these powers can help deter, disrupt and detect criminal activity. Members of the public accept that the force has to use stop and search powers, but the force recognises that it is important they are used lawfully, proportionately and people are treated with respect.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:24

Guest:
Why are there disproportionately more black and asian male youths stopped and searched than other sections of society?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:25
Nottinghamshire Police:
Please see the answer above about disproportionality.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:25
Nottinghamshire Police:
You can get a copy of your stop and search record for up to three months from when it happened by taking your receipt with your unique reference number to a police station.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:26

Guest:
I am currently studying stop and search powers in one of my modules at university and just looked at Swamp 81. I was wondering do you think that Operation Swamp still portrays stop and search in a negative light
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:26
Corporate Communication:
The legislation governing stop and search changed substantially in 1984, though we appreciate that Swamp 81 which was specific to London and will still have resonance with some members of the community. We use stop and search as one of several tools to keep the people of Nottinghamshire safe. The legislation below is how we operate:

Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) gives a police officer the power to stop and search someone if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that:
• The person is carrying items that are evidence of an offence, such as drugs, weapons or stolen property
• The person matches the description of a suspect

Under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, a senior officer authorises other officers to stop and search after an incident of violent crime has taken place within a specific area. It is only used for a limited time in a specific area once information is received that there could be an increase in serious violence or that weapons are being carried. It allows officers to stop and search people without reasonable grounds.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:26

Guest:
Then at least 10 notts officers have breached that legal requirement.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:28
Nottinghamshire Police:
We would advise you to contact us about the receipt breaches so we can investigate why officers have not complied. It is only by receiving feedback that we can improve and ensure all our officers are acting in accordance with legislation. Unless there are exceptional circumstances which would make this impracticable, eg in situations involving public disorder, or the officers presence is required urgently elsewhere.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:30

Kirsty:
does the officer have to be in uniform in order to carry out a stop and search?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:31
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Kirsty, no an officer doesn't have to be in uniform, however they must provide their identification and warrant card.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:31

Guest:
Many theories!!!???? The police are racist. Final.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:32
Corporate Communication:
We take very seriously our duty to protect all members of our communities regardless of race. Across the country some officers have not acted appropriately and there are some members of the community who have not been treated as we would expect them to be. We are determined to improve the service we provide, and we need communities to talk to us about issues such as this. We want people to tell us about their experiences and help us to understand how you feel when you have interacted with officers.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:32

Cricket:
Is there a chance stop and search could alienate people and make them less willing to be co-operative with police in the future?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:35
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi, we recognise that stop and search is a valuable tactic in prevention and detection of crime however we also recognise that when stop and search is not used proportionately and correctly it can and does damage public confidence in the police service. We are training our front line officers in the correct use of stop and search powers and further training is being planned on how stop and search will be conducted to ensure we are building public confidence through our use of stop and search.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:35

Scarlet:
Thank you, would you be able to tell me what is the most common outcome from stop and searches?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:37
Corporate Communication:
Officers use stop and search to keep people safe. It is one of many tools that are available. While many of those who are stopped and searched are given a receipt and leave without any action, there are some who are found in possession of things they shouldn't have on them e.g. drugs, weapons, stolen property, who will be arrested.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:37

Guest:
does the officer carrying out the stop and search have to be in uniform?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:38
Corporate Communication:
A police officer doesn't have to be in uniform but they should show your their warrant card as proof of identity if they are in plain clothes.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:38

Guest:
do you think that operation swamp is what started all the negative light towards stop and search
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:39
Nottinghamshire Police:
No that is too simplistic, though clearly it didn't help.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:39

Guest:
You are not welcome on our streets or in our communities. We have had enough of you using tactics like stop and search to harass and intimidate us. Every time I have "interacted" with cops I have felt bullied and threatened.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:42
Nottinghamshire Police:
You need to report incidents where you have felt bullied or threatened. You can do this in many ways - through the website using the feedback button, calling 101 or visiting a police station. We need to hear about your experiences so we can act.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:42
Nottinghamshire Police:
A stop and search will be much quicker if you cooperate with police officers, even if you feel irritated at being stopped and searched when you haven’t done anything wrong.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:43

Guest:
I watched 5 police in body armour corner two ~15yo black youths in a dorrway in the centre of town and then force them to strip down to basically their underwear. After 20 minutes or so they left them alone.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:43
Nottinghamshire Police:
If you can give us more details of where and when and we can follow this up, as there will be a record of this.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:44

Guest:
I've been looking at GOWISELY for the protocol to go through when speaking to someone who is stopped and searched. do your officers actually carry them out
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:44
Nottinghamshire Police:
Yes, GOWISE which is an acronym our officers use in conducting stop and search. It stands for the following:
G - Grounds for the search
O - Object - what we are looking for
W - Warrant
I - Identification - as PCs, Specials etc
S - Station - which police station the officer is based at
E - Entitlement - to a copy of the form
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:44

Kirsty:
I would just like to say that I feel much safer now that safer neighbourhood teams have been implemented
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:45
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Kirsty, thank you for your comment.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:45
Nottinghamshire Police:
15 minutes left to go - if you have any questions for us, send them in!
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:45

Guest:
The police are hated in every working class community throughout Notts and the rest of the UK. You can't change this perception through consultations and reviews - we all know what your job is. Your purpose is to attack our communities and take our young people away from us. Why should anyone ever trust any cop?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:47
Nottinghamshire Police:
Most people in the community support the use of stop and search if it is used legally, proportionately and fairly. I am not prepared to tolerate any officer who perpetuates a lack of trust with parts of our community. We are there to protect you all and I am determined that we will. Don't forget that young black people are disproportionately the victim of the same sort of crime that stop and search is targeted to prevent. While I recognise that we can't change perceptions through consultations and reviews alone, we need to continually improve our service and ensure that the public have confidence in the Force and will use various methods to do so.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:47

Guest:
I think the problem with stop and search stems from the attitude of officers carrying out the power. Officers use it daily and see it as a normal part of the job. However to a member of public, although necessary, stop and search is a breach of dignity, freedom and privacy. If officers bear that in mind when searching each person, and conduct themselfs accordingly, then the public would be more accepting of it. An officer who sees it as a normal part of the job, and forgets the effect it can have on people will not act in a way that is tactful and respectful, and this is where friction occurs.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:48
Nottinghamshire Police:
I absolutely agree with you.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:48
Nottinghamshire Police:
Our priorities are to cut crime and keep you safe, spend your money wisely and earn the trust and confidence of our communities. Online chats are a way for us to engage with members of the public and allow them to express their views. This then enables us to understand our communities and improve the service we provide.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:50

Guest:
Follow it up!? Police complaints go absolutely nowhere, they are brushed aside. How can the police police themselves?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:51
Nottinghamshire Police:
Police complaints do not go unheard. We rarely get complaints about stop and search, I know this is due to a lack of confidence, but we need to hear of your negative experiences to understand the problem and address it with the individual officers. If you are not happy with the service you have received, you can always refer your complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:51

scarlet:
What effect has stop and search had on lowering crime rates and stopping crimes before they are commited?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:52
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Scarlet, crime in Nottinghamshire is down by 12%, 8,700 less victims. We have used a range of tactics, worked with our partners and communities to achieve these reductions. Stop and search is only one tactic we use.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:52

scarlet:
what impact, will Paddy Tipping introducing 150 officers and 100 pcso's have?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:54
Nottinghamshire Police:
Hi Scarlett, providing more frontline officers in the community will prevent crime, bring to justice those who damage our communities through crime and disorder and will protect our communities particularly, the most vulnerable.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:54
Nottinghamshire Police:
This online chat will close in five minutes' time. Last chance for questions!
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:54

Guest:
Your officers don't give receipts!!!!
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:55
Nottinghamshire Police:
Since introducing the BlackBerry application officers all officers have z card receipts which are given out for every stop and search. It contains a unique reference number which allows you to get a copy of your stop and search form from a police station for up to three months after the stop and search. We hear your feedback and will re-double our efforts and continually reinforce that this is a legal requirement under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:55

Guest:
Will you introduce mandatory fingerprinting, as the Met have done?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:58
Nottinghamshire Police:
We are watching the developments of other forces and if it helps to benefit keeping the public safe it is something we may consider. However there are no imminent plans to do so.
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:58
Nottinghamshire Police:
You can find out more details about the complaints process here: http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/uploads/library/1287/stop%20and%20search%20complaints%20process%20(2).pdf
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:59

Guest:
The IPCC won't take a complaint unless its fairly serious. In most cases low level complaints are investigated by colleagues of the perpetrators. How is this fair or impartial?
Thursday March 7, 2013 19:59

Nottinghamshire Police:
Thank you for taking part in our online chat. We hope you found it informative.
Thursday March 7, 2013 20:00
Nottinghamshire Police:
Find out more about how we use stop and search powers to help keep Nottinghamshire safe
Thursday March 7, 2013 20:01

Some great weaselly answers here

Comment Published: March 08, 2013 08:33 by Cop out

For example:
Scarlet:
"Thank you, would you be able to tell me what is the most common outcome from stop and searches?"

Corporate Communication:
"Officers use stop and search to keep people safe. It is one of many tools that are available. While many of those who are stopped and searched are given a receipt and leave without any action, there are some who are found in possession of things they shouldn't have on them e.g. drugs, weapons, stolen property, who will be arrested."

I imagine the real answer is that almost all stop and searches result in no arrests or charges.