The Metropolitan police commissioner has defended the use of controversial stop-and-search powers after she reported a more than fourfold increase in their use in London over the last year. Statistics have repeatedly shown stop-and-search powers are disproportionately used against black and minority ethnic people. Leaflets and social media, such as Twitter, are used to advise the public of section 60 authority areas when the power is implemented. Dick said: “We also make sure local people are aware of what we’re doing, particularly when section 60 is in place. Documents detailing the measures, unveiled on Monday to great fanfare amid a rise in knife and gun crime, said changes in the level of stop-and-search use had had a “minimal effect”.

Source: The Guardian April 13, 2018 15:11 UTC