Knife crime plans may 'cause new antagonism'

Knife crime plans may 'cause new antagonism'

Saturday, 24, May 2008 12:00

New measures to tackle knife crime could increase hostility among young people, according to the Children's Commissioner of England.

Changes introduced under Section 60 of the Public Order Act give officers increased powers to search people they suspect to be carrying knives and other weapons without reasonable suspicion that the accused is in possession of a dangerous item.

But while the police say the increased searches are intended to improve safety, Sir Al Aynsley-Gren has called for more research into the new powers, claiming it could exacerbate hostility and alienation among young people.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast he explained: "There is a balance here. On the one hand for young people to feel safer by having the presence of the police - but on the other hand making sure the new powers don't create further antagonism by increased stopping and searching.

"These are very contentious and I certainly support the case for much more research on the effects of these policies on them," Sir Al added.

The Children's Commissioner said that while he understood police plans, their efforts to tackle violent crimes should see young people as part of the solution rather than as part of the problem.

However, Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick defended the increased use of stop-and-search efforts.

"The work we are doing in London in particular is working alongside communities to do robust stop-and-search operations using knife arches and search wands where intelligence tells us that there is the most likelihood that people are carrying knives and weapons," she said.

"That is not aimed at victimising young people; it's aimed at keeping them safe."

The new stop-and-search operation, dubbed Blunt 2, was introduced in a London borough earlier this month after a spiralling of violent crimes in the capital this year, with more than 100 stabbings reported so far.