To improve the way stop and search is carried out in Islington, police have asked members of the public to give feedback on their tactics as part of a new Stop and Search Monitoring Group.
The Stop and Search Monitoring Group was set up by Islington Police in November 2009 to let the local community see how we stop and search people, and give them the chance to provide feedback – both good and bad.
The members meet regularly with officers and Islington Police is looking to increase their membership to include more young people. They are actively seeking registrations of interest from teenagers in the borough.
Stop and search road shows are also being introduced. The first took place at the Muslim Welfare Centre on 31 January 2010. Around 20 local residents including young people met with police, who were able to alleviate their concerns around the use of stop and search. Many who attended expressed an interest in joining the Stop and Search Monitoring Group.
Islington Police will roll out similar presentations to other sections of the community. One will be held in each of Islington’s four sectors – North, South, East and West with a further four at Islington Schools. This offer is extended to any youth clubs who would like police to attend to talk about stop and search.
An internal police training programme is also taking place stressing how important it is that officers use their powers fairly and that they clearly account for their actions when stopping and searching people, with a strong emphasis on politeness and respect.
Evelyn Jackman, a door supervisor who lives in Islington, was one of the first people to join the Stop and Search Monitoring Group. She said: “I got involved because I saw some youths being stopped and searched in Islington. I didn’t like the way it was carried out and raised my concerns with the police through the Independent Advisory Group.
“The Stop and Search Monitoring Group is exactly what Islington needs because it gives local people the chance to highlight any issues to police and then work with them to make positive changes to the way stop and search is carried out.”
Inspector Joy Halder, the Stop and Search lead for Islington Police said: “The group was set up not because there is necessarily something wrong with the way we do things in Islington, but because we genuinely believe we can learn from the community. By listening to and responding to their feedback we can improve our service and increase their trust in us.”
Anyone who is interested in joining Islington’s Stop and Search Monitoring Group should email Joy.Halder@met.police.uk. Young people are strongly encouraged to get in touch.
For more information about Islington Police go to www.met.police.uk/islington. To receive regular updates about policing in your local neighbourhood, sign up for Islington AlertComms.