Stop and search doesn't work against violent crime. Here's why
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Stop and search looks set for a revival in the UK. That downward trend is now partly reversing: homicides and other serious violent crimes have recently increased, hitting London particularly hard – nearly 100 people have been murdered in the capital so far this year. As Merseyside Police chief constable Andy Cooke put it: “because there are less police officers, and because they know they’re more reluctant to engage in stop-search, criminals feel safe carrying knives and guns around”. Studying the effect of stop and search on crime rates is notoriously complicated – partly because the two variables tend to influence each other – but there is almost no research demonstrating a clear, strong effect. In 2008, in London, Operation BLUNT 2 involved high levels of stop and search targeted to specific areas; a Home Office evaluation later found that the policy had no effect on crime.
Discover Related
New crime Bill will help ‘take back control of town centres’ – Home Secretary
US cities largely saw a drop in violent crime in 2024, yet many still feel unsafe
Suella Braverman urges police to ‘ramp up’ use of controversial stop and search
US cities hope crime strategies keep homicide numbers dropping and prevent summer surge
U.S. cities reporting fewer killings hope crime strategies promote peace this summer
What gun control studies tell us about how to stop violence, according to experts
‘Overwhelmed': Cops combat violent crime as ranks dwindle
Cost of living could impact violent crime, warns London mayor Sadiq Khan
Home Office sued over ‘racially disproportionate’ new stop and search rules
‘Racist’ blanket stop and search powers must be repealed, super-complaint says
Sian Berry: I’ll end cannabis stop and search if elected London mayor
Justice Dept. plans crackdown on violent crime in 7 cities
Boris Johnson to extend stop-and-search powers in crime crackdown
Stop and searches without suspicion soar 425% in London police crackdown