Return of 'sus' laws as police are given powers to stop and search without giving reason

UK Daily Mail
Wednesday January 30, 2008

Police are to be given back the power to stop and search suspects without giving a reason.

Gordon Brown is to allow officers to carry out random checks in the streets in an attempt to tackle gun and knife crime.

The "sus laws" were scrapped in 1984 in the wake of riots such as Brixton amid claims from black and Asian youths that they were being unfairly targeted by racist police.

Details of the plans will be given to MPs next week by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith amid rising concern about gang-related violence.

By apparent coincidence, Tory leader David Cameron today announced his own plans to restore stop and search as a mainstay of inner-city policing.

The Government's plans include:
• Giving borough commanders powers to designate areas as "stop and search zonesî where anybody can be frisked.
• Getting rid of a foot-long form which has to be filled in every time people are stopped by officers.
• Giving police digital tape recorders to take down details of a search.

Mr Cameron said the 27 deaths of London teenagers in shootings and stabbings last year proved the need for action, even if it was controversial.

"We are never going to deal with it unless we free the police to do far more stopping and far more searching," he said.

"I am quite clear the current rules have to go."

Government sources said Gordon Brown, who announced moves towards next week's announcement in the autumn, was equally clear that stop and search needs to be used more.

The cross-party consensus means there is likely to be an easy ride for legislation-despite the reservations of many black and Asian leaders who recall the intense unpopularity of stop and search when the powers were blamed for straining police and community relations.

Under current laws a police officer must have "reasonable suspicion" that an offence has been committed and tell a suspect what they are looking for.

Full article here.