BREAKING | #StopAndSearch
We've uncovered new figures showing the Met Police dramatically increased use of the most discriminatory form of stop and search during lockdown.
theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/j…
We've uncovered new figures showing the Met Police dramatically increased use of the most discriminatory form of stop and search during lockdown.
theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/j…
Section 60 orders allow police to stop and search people without any suspicion - a recipe for discrimination.
It's only supposed to be used if there has been violence or when serious violence may occur in a specific area.
Met police issued 65 in May - up from 13 in April.
It's only supposed to be used if there has been violence or when serious violence may occur in a specific area.
Met police issued 65 in May - up from 13 in April.
Black people are almost 10 times more likely to be stopped under regular (so-called section 1) stop and search powers than white people. 
Black people make up only 3% of the UK population, but 22% of stop and searches.
This disproportionality becomes far worse still when need for suspicion is removed by a Section 60 order.
Black people are 12 times more likely than white people to be stopped without suspicion in London, and higher elsewhere, making up 48% of suspcionless stops.
Black people are 12 times more likely than white people to be stopped without suspicion in London, and higher elsewhere, making up 48% of suspcionless stops.
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has said officers stopped and searched more than 20,000 black men in London during the lockdown – the equivalent of more than a quarter of all black 15-24-year-olds in the capital.
The surge in Section 60 stop and search followed Gov handing sweeping powers to police under emergency legislation and the Coronavirus Act.
Confused messaging and overzealous enforcement meant the powers were routinely misused and led to widespread discrimination.
Confused messaging and overzealous enforcement meant the powers were routinely misused and led to widespread discrimination.
The #CoronavirusAct also gives police new powers to detain anyone who could be infectious (so basically anybody) and hold them without a judge’s authority.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, every charge using the Act has been wrong.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, every charge using the Act has been wrong.
It’s time to scrap the Coronavirus Act and build a public health strategy that has human rights at its heart. It’s long past time to scrap Section 60 stop and search and take meaningful action on discrimination in UK policing liberty.e-activist.com/page/63721/pet…
