Met Police Stop and Search Charter Survey
Our New Met for London plan committed to developing a Stop and Search Charter setting out how, and when stop and search should be used and provide greater transparency on the tactic. The Charter is being developed in partnership with Londoners as part of our work to rebuild trust and confidence.
Over the last six months we have carried out significant community engagement, asking Londoners for their views on how stop and search should be; carried out, audited, scrutinised and governed and how we should work with communities going forward to ensure their views are heard. We have focused consultation on those groups most likely to be affected by stop and search, including young people and those from a minority background, through a combination of locally run events on each borough and thematic events at New Scotland Yard and online. Key themes from the events have included:
- Focusing on the quality of the encounter
- Improved supervision
- Improved training
- Improved complaints handling
- Better use of technology
- Enhanced independent governance and scrutiny
- Community involvement in where, when and why S+S is being used
- Better public understanding of S+S
In addition we have completed two quantitative surveys
- A YouGov survey, focusing on a representative sample of London
- A survey carried out by Zen-City, which surveys a wide range of people who have highlighted an interest in stop and search.
We are seeking your support to both complete and publicise the next and final stage of our research programme, which is open to everybody who lives and works in London. This will test the themes already identified by those interested in stop and search with the wider public.
Findings from the survey and consultation will be used to co-create the Stop and Search Charter, putting community voices front and centre. The Charter will be pivotal to improving trust, transparency and accountability with London communities and we plan to launch this with a communications and engagement programme in Spring.
The survey will be live between 13th February and 19th March 2024, a link for you to share on your communication channels is here, https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/MetPoliceStopandSearchCharter/.