Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley announced plans to increase stop and search operations in London, aiming to combat the issue of knife crime.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sir Mark emphasised the need to instil a “fear of being caught” among those carrying blades, citing the concerns of mothers who have lost children to violence.
Speaking to LBC Radio, Sir Mark said, “Stop and search does work. We are looking at ways to increase our stop and search and will be making some announcements in the coming months. We have to break the culture of people carrying knives and part of that has to be a fear of being caught.
“Young black men growing up in London are 13 times more likely to be murdered than young white men, that’s horrific, we need to come together to solve that problem.”
Acknowledging the tragic death of a 14-year-old during a recent incident in east London involving a sword-wielding assailant, Sir Mark emphasised the urgency of addressing such violence. He revealed plans to announce strategies for increasing stop and search activities in the coming months.
However, it’s worth noting that stop and search policies are not without their critics. One of the primary concerns is the disproportionate targeting of ethnic minorities, particularly young black men, by police officers. Critics argue that stop and search practices often reflect racial bias rather than legitimate suspicions of criminal activity.
Many also view stop and searches as an infringement on civil liberties and individual rights. The power granted to police officers to stop and search individuals without necessarily needing strong evidence of wrongdoing can lead to feelings of harassment and mistrust within communities.
The need for proactive measures to address knife crime does remain paramount though, reflecting a collective effort to ensure the safety and well-being of London’s communities.
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