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Our latest blog posts

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  Most ‘stop and search’ is ineffective and fails communities worst affected by knife crime

  StopWatch, 24 Jul 2017

  Read our press release on the latest police recorded crime figures for 2016/17 that report violent crime has increased. Many senior police officials have called for more stop and search, but research shows that the tactic is largely ineffective and often used unfairly and sometimes unlawfully. Targeted use of stop and search may have a role to play in reducing knife crime and serious violence, but can only ever be a small part of the solution. StopWatch calls for alternative approaches, where police work with local communities, especially young people, to create safe and peaceful communities in ways that protect fundamental human rights and freedoms. Read more »

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  Stop and Search: A Guide for Parents and Children, plus short film

  StopWatch, 17 May 2017

  Read and download our latest publication Stop and Search: A Guide for Parents and Children. The guide has been made in consultation with parents’ groups, children and young people who have been stopped and searched. Using a harm reduction approach, this guide focuses on keeping children as safe as possible during interactions with the police. It outlines what should happen during a stop and search and contains key information and tips to help support children and their parents. Read more »

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  CALL OUT for Community Resources

  StopWatch, 19 Apr 2017

  To accompany our upcoming publication, Stop and Search: A Guide for Parents and Children, we would like to host a range of resources for parents and children on our website. Do you know some great resources for parents and children dealing with police interactions? Read more »

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  Notting Hill Carnival Consultation

  StopWatch, 4 Nov 2016

  The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee has launched an investigation into the policing and security arrangements of the Notting Hill Carnival, asking the following questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the security arrangements at Notting Hill Carnival? What improvements can be made to security arrangements? What lessons can be learned from other large scale events? What more can the Mayor do to support the agencies responsible for keeping Carnival safe? StopWatch and Release share our response here. Read more »

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  HMIC Report on police Compliance with the Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme (BUSS) Out Today

  StopWatch, 22 Sep 2016

  StopWatch welcomes Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s (HMIC) inspection of police force compliance with the Best Use of Stop and Search (BUSS) scheme. Yet, this report raises serious concerns about the quality of the inspection process and makes recommendations that threaten to undermine the reforms made to stop and search. Overall, the continued lack of compliance with the low standards of the voluntary scheme highlights the need for primary legislation with much stronger standards. Something that Prime Minister Theresa May promised as Home Secretary back in 2014. Read more »

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