VIDEO: What do you think of police stop and search tactics? (From News Shopper)

E-editions

Read our printed newspapers online click here »

Your Shopper

Send your news, photos & videos. Text NEWS SHOPPER and your message to 80360 or click here to email us » »

News RSS Feed

VIDEO: What do you think of police stop and search tactics?

11:26am Friday 29th August 2008

comment Comments (19) Have your say »

By Beckie Williams »

Play Video

POLICE have been using their stop and search powers in Lewisham this week to help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Officers from British Transport Police have been stopping people in five locations throughout London over the course of the week, which are main transport hubs in and out of the capital.

At Lewisham station, 15 officers and two sniffer dogs have been involved in the operation each day, ending today (Friday August 29).

They have been searching any member of the public they believe is acting suspiciously.

Sergeant Rick Usher of the British Transport Police said: "We use plain clothes officers as well. When people see the drug-dogs and turn back, it's then that they get searched."

Commuter Pamela Harris, 56, of Wearside Road, Lewisham, said: "I think it's a fantastic idea. If you've got nothing to hide it shouldn't be a problem."

She added: "It's about time we are made to feel safer around here."

Around 3,000 people have been stopped and 30 people arrested.

Sgt Usher said: "It is a good PR thing. People ask what we're doing to combat knife crime. It's a visible deterrent. It's a prevention really."

Watch the video report.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourShopper

Me, Bexley Village says...
4:10pm Fri 29 Aug 08

If you have nothing to hide then it shouldnt bother you.

It would certainly cut down knife related crimes.

Report this post »

Justice League, Far, far away says...
4:38pm Fri 29 Aug 08

Me wrote:
If you have nothing to hide then it shouldnt bother you.

It would certainly cut down knife related crimes.

Exactly, it's a great idea which should be more widespread. Everyone who bold complains about crime should be right behind this tactic!

Report this post »

kerry, erith says...
6:39pm Fri 29 Aug 08

l think the police should have the right to stop and if people have a problem with it then tough

Report this post »

Mrs A, catford says...
7:04pm Fri 29 Aug 08

I couldn't agree more. It's about time the rights of law abiding people were considered.Why should we be afraid to leave our homes because of fear of attack by people carrying weapons.If you have nothing to hide then you shouldn't have a problem with being searched.

Report this post »

Mark, Dartford says...
7:53pm Fri 29 Aug 08

This should happen in other areas.Gun and knife crime is out of control.

Report this post »

jane, says...
12:16am Sat 30 Aug 08

please come to thamesmead. maybe then we could walk the streets

Report this post »

DZ, says...
10:45am Sat 30 Aug 08

this is just gonna lead to more unrest and tension within the community and towards the police as more innocent people are unfairly targetted by them. they should be using there time and money other places

Report this post »

Father V. Cunningham, Lee says...
2:52pm Sat 30 Aug 08

DZ wrote:
this is just gonna lead to more unrest and tension within the community and towards the police as more innocent people are unfairly targetted by them. they should be using there time and money other places

Here here,you will get shot down by the reactionary right wing south east London scum who usually post on this site,but you are very right.

Report this post »

janet, thamesmead says...
4:42pm Sat 30 Aug 08

so what if innocent people who r not carrying anything get stopped big deal how long does it take we all want the world to be a safer place so let the police stop who they want where they want.

Report this post »

South East, South East says...
4:46pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Keep it up. It's about time more stop and searcb was carried out. We may then be able to start walking the streets again safely. We need to cut gun and knife crime as soon as possible.

Report this post »

robin, dartford says...
4:51pm Sat 30 Aug 08

could not agree more why should innocent people walk the streets feeling un safe when one step forward would be for the police to feel free to do their jobs and try to catch these people that walk the streets with knives and guns and families being devastated when they lose a loved one

Report this post »

Alias, says...
5:24pm Sat 30 Aug 08

this is just gonna lead to more unrest and tension within the community and towards the police as more innocent people are unfairly targetted by them. they should be using there time and money other places

If you've got nothing to hide, it will be over in moments. What's the big deal?

Do you not think that taking preventative measures like stop and search now will pay off in the longrun by getting weapons off of the street saving the Police a vast amount of time, resources and finances it costs them every time someone gets shot or stabbed?

If people didn't carry weapons then scheme wouldn't be necessary would it. It is illegal you know, about time these people realised that.

Report this post »

trevorr, lewisham says...
11:45pm Sat 30 Aug 08

the police should have the right to stop and search who they want so what if u aint got time

Report this post »

cassie, bromley says...
12:12am Sun 31 Aug 08

Around 3,000 people have been stopped and 30 people arrested

so 2,970 were effectively a waste of the time of the police and those stopped

not sure if the 'wide-net' approach is the best use of resources...

and how many of the 30 arrested have actually been charged, and for any charged and pleading/found guilty will the sentence be a deterrent/worth the resources and expense of getting them to court?

Report this post »

knowlsey, sidcup says...
5:04pm Mon 1 Sep 08

Not being racist but if the police dont want to waste their time then they should target the right people and we all know who carry out most shootings and stabbings.

Report this post »

Barry Chuckle, Ave of the Americas,New York,New York. says...
4:24am Tue 2 Sep 08

knowlsey wrote:
Not being racist but if the police dont want to waste their time then they should target the right people and we all know who carry out most shootings and stabbings.

To me to you.You seem to keep missusing the adverb not.You are a racist admit it,then we can all take your bitter hate fueled rants with a pinch of salt.

Report this post »

Jay, Bromley says...
3:29pm Wed 3 Sep 08

My 16 yr old son was one of those stopped and searched,he had nothing to hide and didnt mind one bit. I think it's a good idea, even if one weapon is found through these exercises thats one more weapon off the street,and possibly one less death to report,might even be the weapon that is used against one of us or our loved ones.

Report this post »

brenda, bromley says...
9:34pm Thu 4 Sep 08

DZ wrote:
this is just gonna lead to more unrest and tension within the community and towards the police as more innocent people are unfairly targetted by them. they should be using there time and money other places

I think you're talking a load of rubbish....if you have nothing to hide what on earth is the problem? With all these recent stabbings, I sometimes feel nervous leaving my house. It's ironic that I am actually intimidated by people half my age that are down grading our area for everyone....it's about time they are stopped. Bring in stop and search on a more regular basis and broaden it to other areas!!!

Report this post »

chucky, abbey wood says...
10:00pm Thu 4 Sep 08

barry chuckle why dont u stop picking at everyones comments and talk sense for once black or white everyone should be stopped and searched if the police wanna stop them

Report this post »

Your sayYourShopper

comment Add your comment

Register for a FREE News Shopper account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.

Please register now or sign in below to continue.