Children stopped and searched should be dealt with sensitively and appropriately

National Policing Lead for Stop and Search, Commander Adrian Hanstock said:

“Figures collected from some police forces show that a significant proportion of all-age stop and searches are carried out on young people. The reality is that young adults are disproportionately represented as both victims of crime and offenders.

“A recording error that gave the person a default age of zero when no address was entered has led to an inaccurate figure of children under ten years old who were allegedly searched. In the genuine cases, children are often stopped because of intelligence that they are being exploited by adults, including gang members, to carry drugs, weapons or get involved in other criminal activity.

"Stop and search that is intelligence-led, proportionate and carried out with professionalism and respect is an important tool in tackling crime especially knife, gun, gang crimes and terrorism. Our ultimate goal is always to reduce crime and help keep people safe.

“As a service we are striving to improve how we use this vital tactic with a focus on those areas and types of crime that people are most concerned about.

“We will consider the recommendations published today by the APPGC and the findings of the full report published later this year to ensure we are only stopping children and young people when we need to and that they are dealt with sensitively and appropriately."

National Children's Bureau are the secretariat to the APPGC - http://www.ncb.org.uk/home.aspx

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk