Patterns and trends in stop and search: findings from the British Crime Survey and police statistics
Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: The British Crime Survey (BCS) and police statistics are used to analyse problems\nand trends in Stop and Search on a national, regional and local level. The thesis\npresents the first analysis of the BCS relating to Stop and Search covering a twenty-five\nyear period. Qualitative information is also presented in support of the statistical\nfindings. The information is from the researcher's contacts and experience with\npractitioners.\nThe BCS was analysed with the intention of commenting on: the patterns and trends\nin the police tactic over time; the demographic variables of Stop and Search suspects;\nand the extent to which the same suspects are involved in repeated Stop incidents\n(repeat suspects). Police statistics from a Southern County are analysed and\ncompared to the BCS at the regional level. This is in addition to offering an analysis\non: the distribution of Stop and Search activity over three years at the regional level;\nand looking at the policy implications of extended police Stop and Search powers\nunder Part One of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2003 in a selected Southern English\nTown.\nThis research identifies a number of substantive and methodological findings.\nMethodological changes made to the BCS have impacted upon the number of Stops\nand Searches over time. The Survey also shows that age and gender discrimination in\nthe application of the police tactic is more consistent over time than racial\ndiscrimination. Repeat Stops have become increasingly concentrated upon the same\nsuspects (repeat Stops). Here, a majority of repeat Stops were experienced by a small\nnumber of Blacks and Asians.\nThe comparative analysis of police records and the BCS highlighted the vacuum that\nexisted between the two data sources. The research identifies the limitations in using\nto the BCS.to look at the distribution of Stops and Searches by police service area.\nThe use of the police tactic in a Southern English Police Service Area shows its\ninequitable implementation against certain groups. Looking at the specific cultural\nbackground of persons Stopped and Searched does not show a clear pattern of\ndiscrimination. That, is until the persons broad ethnic background is considered.\nThe legislative impact of the CJA 2003 led to an increase in the number of encounters\nbetween the police and the public. Its crime reductive effect was through increasing\narrests for criminal damage offences.\nThe research has a number of implications for policing policy at the national scale.\nSuggestions for police strategies and management at the regional and local levels are\nalso presented.
Author: Faiza Qureshi
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2286704092