Policing Minister Chris Philp has called for an increase in stop and search practices by law enforcement to tackle knife crime in the UK. Philp emphasized that stop and search can remove knives from the streets and save lives. The UK government has pledged £4 million to invest in knife scanning and live facial recognition technology to enhance public safety. This move has sparked controversy, with critics highlighting that stop and search was previously reduced due to concerns about its disproportionate targeting of black people. Former police sergeant Harry Tangye noted that stop and searches have declined because they are seen as problematic and confrontational. Since 2019, 138,000 dangerous weapons have been seized, and the Home Secretary James Cleverly has announced new funding to continue these efforts. Tories have also urged police to bring back stop and search, a practice that was reduced under Theresa May and David Cameron.
'Only a few years ago Theresa May and David Cameron were criticizing police for carrying out stop and search.' Former Met Police Officer, Chris Hobbs, says police officers need to be given more confidence to stop and search. https://t.co/rob3rtRF7q
'Only a few years ago Teresa May and David Cameron were criticizing police for carrying out stop and search.' Former Met Police Officer, Chris Hobbs, says police officers need to be given more confidence to stop and search. https://t.co/YFFJUTOnG7
⚠️ 138,000 dangerous weapons have been seized since 2019 - and we are not stopping there. Home Secretary @JamesCleverly has announced new funding to take more knives off our streets and create safer communities throughout the UK.
The increase in knife purchases in the UK raises concerns: police demand tougher measures https://t.co/mWfT2BpHxp https://t.co/xdf7rEbggL
Increase stop and search to tackle knife crime, minister tells Met https://t.co/xJGfUyCx6z
Former police sergeant Harry Tangye says stop and searches have declined because they have “been made out to be a huge problem”. “Police officers don’t like stop checking people - it’s dangerous, it’s dirty, it's confrontational and you’ll pick up a complaint.” @iancollinsuk https://t.co/bYLNNwIwyq
🗣️ Tories tell police: Bring back stop and search https://t.co/3qvRDb7rAA
'I want to see more stop and search,' says policing minister. Chris Philp says that the use of stop and search in London has decreased in recent years, and he wants officers to have "the confidence to use it where there are reasonable grounds". https://t.co/GnOz18TuIQ https://t.co/K1MNCenzt4
'This is something that Theresa May deliberately reduced because of concerns it was disproportionately targeting black people." Sky's @mattuthompson explains why policing minister Chris Philp saying he wants a 'substantial increase in stop and search' could be controversial. https://t.co/NBKiv6OPPG
Policing minister Chris Philp has called on police forces to make more use of stop and search in a bid to tackle knife crime 🚨 Follow the latest updates here https://t.co/FIZAsmuUct
'Stop and search has to be used in an evidence, intelligence based way,' says Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds, in response to policing minister Chris Philp saying he supports a "substantial increase in the use of stop and search". https://t.co/r8MRAfhTYv 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/EAcdexwfgX
"I would like stop and search to be used more." Policing minister Chris Philp says that "stop and search takes knives off the streets" and would "save lives." https://t.co/Fygl7RpG4L 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/mtp9LoXQlw
'Knife scanning and live facial recognition has the potential to completely transform the way that we can keep the public safe.' Minister of Crime, Policing and Fire, Chris Philp, details the government's pledge to invest £4 million to tackle knife crime. https://t.co/A2k4lERyOd
Policing minister calls for officers to conduct more stop and searches https://t.co/yU64Ergiwt
🚓Tories tell police: Bring back stop and search https://t.co/Ez31osgaN7
'Ditch a knife and save lives' - Knife crime crackdown as officers urge people to hand in blades https://t.co/KlPuZ0OFAO https://t.co/sNUlT3vAzS