Race Issues and Stop and Search: Looking behind the Statistics

2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiron Reid
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Racial Disparity ◽  
Official Statistics ◽  
Ongoing Controversy ◽  
Police Powers ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Stop And Search

This article considers the ongoing controversy over police powers to stop and search. It particularly looks at the evidence of racial disparity in use of these powers from the official statistics. The article considers attempts to improve use of stop and search by the police, including extra safeguards introduced after the Macpherson Report and the reduction of recording requirements after the Flanagan Report. It considers the argued fall in police use of stop and search after Macpherson and increase in use of general and anti-terrorist stop and search powers after 9/11 and 7/7. Police arguments to justify differential use between ethnic groups are considered. While concentrating on the developments since the late 1990s, the continuing nature of the debate about police use of powers in the last few decades is highlighted. The article considers the great concern about knife crime in recent years and government and police policies to deal with this. The analysis focuses on the potential impact on young people.

scholarly journals Law, necropolitics and the stop and search of young people

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-405
Author(s):  
Simon Flacks
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Crime Prevention ◽  
Racial Minorities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Police Powers ◽  
Stop And Search ◽  
Legal Consequences

Stop and search can harm young people, damage relations between police and the community and alienate ethnic and racial minorities. In Mohidin and another v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis and others, a group of minors who had been stopped, searched and, in some cases, falsely imprisoned, assaulted and racially abused by officers, were awarded damages for the distress and pain suffered. In this article, the case will be read not for the tortious legal consequences of police actions towards youth, or members of the public in general, nor for the culpability of any of the parties concerned, but for how the use of ‘lawful’ police powers on young people was framed and justified by both officers and the courts. It is argued that the punitive function of such powers has been underexplored by criminologists, and that the authorization and legitimization of such tactics, routinely defended as a ‘necessary’ crime prevention tool, can be understood as an instantiation of ‘necropolitics’.

[B]othered Youth: marginalisation, stop and search and the policing of belonging

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seán F Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Disadvantaged Youth ◽  
Search Methods ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Stop And Search ◽  
Discriminatory Practice ◽  
Discretionary Powers ◽  
Poor Communities

Seán F. Murphy examines the contemporary issues surrounding the policing of disadvantaged communities. Specifically looking at the discriminatory practice of ‘Stop and Search’ methods of policing. He argues that for young people, rights become qualified or suspended during encounters with the police. He theorises the condition of ‘advanced marginality’, through the term [b]othered youth within a wider institutional mistrust of youth. Critically assessing how the discretionary powers, through the framing of suspects, can reproduce inequalities, injustice and resentment. He argues that [b] othering, resistance and marginalisation of disadvantaged youth in poor communities result in a loss of legitimacy and the tensions emerging from over-policing.

12. The criminal process: the suspect and the police

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Wilson ◽  
Helen Rutherford ◽  
Tony Storey ◽  
Natalie Wortley
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Offence ◽  
White People ◽  
Criminal Process ◽  
Police Powers ◽  
Asian People ◽  
Stop And Search ◽  
The Way

In order to investigate a criminal offence, the police may need to stop and search, arrest, detain, and/or question a suspect. This chapter explains the key rules that govern the exercise of police powers. The use of stop and search powers, in particular, has long been controversial as there is evidence that black and Asian people are more likely to be stopped than white people. The chapter also considers powers of arrest and the way in which arrests should be carried out, as well as minimum rights and standards for the detention and questioning of suspects.

scholarly journals A qualitative account of young people’s experiences of alcohol screening and brief interventions in schools: SIPS Jr-HIGH trial findings

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. e259-e267
Author(s):  
E L Giles ◽  
G J McGeechan ◽  
S J Scott ◽  
R McGovern ◽  
S Boniface ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Young People ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Alcohol Screening ◽  
Screening And Brief Intervention ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background The United Kingdom (UK) has seen a decrease in the number of young people drinking alcohol. However, the UK prevalence of underage drinking still ranks amongst the highest in Western Europe. Whilst there is a wealth of evidence reporting on the effectiveness of both primary, and secondary interventions, there are few reports of the experiences of young people who receive them. Methods The present study reports findings from interviews with 33 young people who were involved in an alcohol screening and brief intervention randomized controlled trial in schools in England. All interviews were analysed using inductive applied thematic analysis. Results Three major themes were identified following the analysis process: 1) drinking identities and awareness of risk; 2) access to support and advice in relation to alcohol use; and 3) appraisal of the intervention and potential impact on alcohol use. Conclusions There appeared to be a reluctance from participants to describe themselves as someone who drinks alcohol. Furthermore, those who did drink alcohol often did so with parental permission. There was variation amongst participants as to how comfortable they felt talking about alcohol issues with school staff. Overall participants felt the intervention was useful, but would be better suited to ‘heavier’ drinkers.

scholarly journals A rapid review investigating the potential impact of a pandemic on the mental health of young people aged 12–25 years

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
A. O’Reilly ◽  
M. Tibbs ◽  
A. Booth ◽  
E. Doyle ◽  
B. McKeague ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Young People ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreak ◽  
Potential Impact

Abstract Objectives: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Adolescence and early adulthood are peak times for the onset of mental health difficulties. Exposure to a pandemic during this vulnerable developmental period places young people at significant risk of negative psychological experiences. The objective of this research was to summarise existing evidence on the potential impact of a pandemic on the mental health of 12–25 year olds. Methods: A rapid review of the published peer-reviewed literature, published between 1985 and 2020, using PsycINFO (Proquest) and Medline (Proquest) was conducted. Narrative synthesis was used across studies to identify key themes and concepts. Results: This review found 3,359 papers, which was reduced to 12 papers for data extraction. Results regarding the prevalence of psychological difficulties in youth were mixed, with some studies finding this group experience heightened distress during an infectious disease outbreak, and others finding no age differences or higher distress among adults. Gender, coping, self-reported physical health and adoption of precautionary measures appear to play a role in moderating the psychological impact of an infectious disease outbreak. Most studies were conducted after the peak of an epidemic/pandemic or in the recovery period. Conclusions: More longitudinal research with young people, particularly adolescents in the general population, before and during the early stages of an infectious disease outbreak is needed to obtain a clear understanding of how best to support young people during these events.

scholarly journals The stop and search of minors: A ‘vital police tool’?

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Flacks
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Minority Communities ◽  
Police Powers ◽  
Police Data ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Stop And Search

Police stop and search powers have been widely criticized for the disproportionate manner in which members of black and ethnic minority communities are targeted. However, the use of such powers on minors in England and Wales has largely escaped comment, despite good evidence that such practices are harmful and counter-productive. Whilst data on the stop and search of under-10s and even toddlers has been reasonably widely reported by the mass media, there has been little interest in the welfare of older children who are subject to such police powers. Drawing on police data, qualitative research and information obtained through Freedom of Information requests, this article considers the relationship between potentially corrosive stop and search practices, young people’s use of public space and the question of vulnerability. It is concluded that policy and practice around the use of such powers should be amended to take account of the specific needs of individuals under the age of 18, and that children’s welfare should be a central consideration.

scholarly journals Can a social media intervention improve online communication about suicide? A feasibility study examining the acceptability and potential impact of the #chatsafe campaign

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253278
Author(s):  
Louise La Sala ◽  
Zoe Teh ◽  
Michelle Lamblin ◽  
Gowri Rajaram ◽  
Simon Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Media Campaign ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Prevention Campaign ◽  
Willingness To Intervene ◽  
Potential Impact

There is a need for effective and youth-friendly approaches to suicide prevention, and social media presents a unique opportunity to reach young people. Although there is some evidence to support the delivery of population-wide suicide prevention campaigns, little is known about their capacity to change behaviour, particularly among young people and in the context of social media. Even less is known about the safety and feasibility of using social media for the purpose of suicide prevention. Based on the #chatsafe guidelines, this study examines the acceptability, safety and feasibility of a co-designed social media campaign. It also examines its impact on young people’s willingness to intervene against suicide and their perceived self-efficacy, confidence and safety when communicating on social media platforms about suicide. A sample of 189 young people aged 16–25 years completed three questionnaires across a 20-week period (4 weeks pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at 4-week follow up). The intervention took the form of a 12-week social media campaign delivered to participants via direct message. Participants reported finding the intervention acceptable and they also reported improvements in their willingness to intervene against suicide, and their perceived self-efficacy, confidence and safety when communicating on social media about suicide. Findings from this study present a promising picture for the acceptability and potential impact of a universal suicide prevention campaign delivered through social media, and suggest that it can be safe to utilize social media for the purpose of suicide prevention.

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