MAY I welcome Chief Constable Mark Callaghan’s decision to impose a section 60 stop and search regime in Bournemouth at the weekend, but express my concern that it was limited to just 24-hours, ending at 6pm on Saturday, as if crime stops, just because police powers are required to end.
It was Teresa May’s government which ended the right of police to stop and search ‘at random’ because of ethnic minorities being unfairly targeted in London, and which limited section 60 stops to the current maximum of 24-hours.The concern was right, the solution was completely wrong.
The targeting of ethnic minorities should have been dealt with by monitoring stops, and disciplining those officers concerned.
Chief constables should have retained the right to use stop and search as they felt appropriate, to deal with any risk of violent crime, and should not have this 24-hour restriction imposed on them.
Crime, and fear of crime, in Bournemouth, are both too high. Firm policing is required.
Stop and search should be available to police to use as they judge it to be appropriate, and not with restrictive timescales if this kind.
There are civil liberties involved, of course, but the right of residents to enjoy nights out in Bournemouth, unafraid and unmolested, trumps all of these.
We want a peaceful town. A town whose nightlife people of all ages can enjoy.
If that means firmer policing, then that is what the law should let the police provide.
CLLR JEFF HANNA
Queens Park West Drive, Bournemouth
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