News / knife crime
Children as young as 10 among those searched by police
Children as young as ten are among those searched by the police after they were given enhanced stop and search powers to mitigate “unprecedented” youth violence in the city.
Chief inspector Haward-Melen has acknowledged there would be “concern” about the enhanced powers but said the decision had been taken “following consultation with stakeholders and community leaders”.
Avon and Somerset police introduced enhanced stop and search powers in the city centre, St Paul’s, Easton, Eastville, Ashley Down, Temple and Fishponds from 5pm on Thursday, February 15 to Saturday February 17.
is needed now More than ever
The authorisation comes after an increase in serious violence including the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Darrian Williams in Rawnsley Park on Valentine’s day.
33 people were stopped by the police using the Section 60 powers during the 48 hour period. More than half (17) were aged between 18 and 24, and over a third (12) were between the ages of 10 and 17.
14 of those searched were white, 12 were black, six were mixed heritage and one was Asian.
The police said no weapons were found but two people were found in possession of small amounts of cannabis.
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Read more: Police launch operation to tackle knife crime
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Most of the searches took place in the Castle Park area, but people were also stopped in Wine Street, Queen Square, River Street and Lansdown Road as well as Albany Road, Berkeley Square, Broadmead, Goodhind Street, Trinity Road, Stapleton Road and The Horsefair.
Some campaigners have raised concerns about the temporary enhanced stop and search powers.
In an interview with ITV, Desmond Brown, police advisor for Avon and Somerset police, said people felt like they were “being targeted” and stop and seach would “not solve the problem.”
Avon and Somerset Police said every stop carried out was scrutinised and personally watched by chief inspector Hayward-Melen and will be scrutinised externally by the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel, a standard practise for Section 60 searches and authorities.
Hayward-Melen said: “We know that the decision to use the powers in some parts of the city and not others was of concern to some communities. The decision was based on recent incidents of violence in the designated areas and on current intelligence.
Police have introduced an operation to tackle knife crime following a number of fatal stabbings which have left communities in shock across Bristol – photo: Mia Vines Booth
“The powers were brought in following consultation with stakeholders and community leaders and in direct response to those leaders telling us they wanted the police to do more to try and keep young people safe.
“We know that the disproportionality shown in these figures will be of great concern to many and we’d like to reassure people that every stop will be scrutinised externally by the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel.
“We are committed to working alongside all our partners and communities to reduce the harm caused by weapons on our streets. Knife crime and youth violence are complex, layered issues which require a long-term multi-agency strategy to make an impact. However, we do sometimes need to introduce short-term measures to keep people safe.
“The use of Section 60 powers is undoubtedly a short-term tool and we’ll be evaluating its impact and effectiveness as we go forward.”
Chief constable Sarah Crew recently told an Avon and Somerset police performance and accountability board she thought the “unreasonable” use of stop and search powers was not the solution to the problem, and urged communities to share information about knives with the police and for people carrying knives to put them in surrender bins.
Police have introduced a number of measures since the rise in violence in the last month, including more patrols on the streets, running workshops for young people in schools, working with youth services and working to prevent the sales of knives to under-18s in shops.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
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